THSTI develops human-based models to study neurodevelopmental disorders

A group of researchers at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad has developed human-based models to study neuron development and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism which can help design treatment strategies for such brain disorders. They have established a protocol from India for the first time by generating and producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human peripheral blood. They have further refined the protocol of differentiation of iPSCs into the brain-specific stem cells, i.e., neural stem cells (NSCs). A human-based model thus developed could help study how the brain develops, particularly the neurons, and what goes awry during brain development leading to cognitive decline, impairment in language, and social interaction. This research can contribute to expanding the knowledge of neuron development and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and the role of small non-coding micro RNA in brainspecific stem cells fate.