Dissecting cell type-specific effects of maternal immune activation on the human fetal neocortical development

01/04/2021 to 31/03/2022

It is commonly accepted that maternal inflammation is correlated with adverse
neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Given that 64% of pregnant women experience
infectious diseases, revealing mechanisms that translate maternal inflammation to changes
in fetal neurodevelopment has a major clinical importance. In my doctoral project, I plan to
gain a systematic understanding of the cell type-specific effects of maternal immune
activation during different stages of human fetal neocortical development. For that purpose, I
will use brain organoids as a model system and will employ high-end techniques such as
single-cell RNA-Sequencing. Additionally, I will characterize molecular pathways on the
protein level. The results of my project can be potentially used in clinics for timely treatment
of the fetus and prevention of downstream consequences of maternal inflammation.