Dr. Annie Kathuria of Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Annie Kathuria, Johns Hopkins University, Neuroengineering Organoids for the study of for neurological disorders

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms underlying human neurological disorders remains one of the most formidable challenges in neuroscience, due in part to the limitations of current model systems in capturing the cellular diversity and developmental complexity of the human brain. This talk presents a bioengineering approach to cerebral organoid development, leveraging induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate 3D models that mimic early human cortical and subcortical development. I will detail the stepwise generation, characterization, and validation of cerebral and multi-region brain organoids (MRBOs), emphasizing their fidelity to human fetal brain architecture and function. Using schizophrenia (SCZ) as a disease model, we demonstrate that organoids derived from SCZ patients exhibit distinct transcriptomic signatures, synaptic dysfunction, and impaired metabolic activity, particularly in inhibitory interneurons. Building on this foundation, I will introduce the MRBO platform—a fusion of cerebral, endothelial, and mid-hindbrain components—which recapitulates early formation of blood-brain barrier markers and achieves an ~80% transcriptional overlap with the human fetal brain at 40 days of development. This system represents a scalable and physiologically relevant model for both mechanistic studies and precision drug discovery.

Biography:

My Bio

Annie Kathuria’s lab is spearheading breakthroughs in organoid tissue engineering, leveraging the regenerative capacities of pluripotent stem cells to craft highly detailed 3D tissue models or “organoids.” These constructs mirror the complex micro-architecture of actual organs, standing as a revolutionary instrument in biomedical research. The focal point of her lab’s endeavor is the development of cerebral, cortical spheroids, and multi region brain organoids. They are offering a deeper dive into the molecular foundations of several neurological and rare disorders such as Autism, Schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. This pivotal work facilitates a more granulated understanding of these ailments, paving the avenue towards targeted treatment options. In conjunction with this, the lab utilizes a multi-modal research paradigm that integrates multi-electrode arrays and high-throughput imaging, fostering an environment conducive to high-throughput drug and toxicological screening.