“Advancing Understanding of Neurodevelopmental Disorders with Human Stem Cells”

Dr. Bhattacharyya is an Assistant Professor of Cell and Regenerative Biology at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research examines how brain development is altered in individuals with developmental disabilities.  She uses human pluripotent stem cells to study the formation of the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is the most complex area of the brain and is responsible for functions unique to humans, such as language and abstract thought. Problems with any of the cerebral cortex’s crucial development steps can lead to mental retardation.  Her goal is to use stem cells to examine the alterations that occur in cortical development in Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome and autism. These studies will not only shed light on brain development in these developmental disorders, but will help our understanding of human brain development in general.

This lecture is part of the Department of Neurology Grand Rounds, and is co-hosted by the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC). Coffee and bagels will be served.

Full schedule, Department of Neurology Grand Rounds

For inquiries contact Christine McIntosh.