In this month’s editorial, I aim to highlight significant research questions that IGIB has been pursuing in the field of neurosciences. While this information may be redundant for the faculty and older students, it will offer newer students a comprehensive overview of our research and our potential contributions in this field.
Disability resulting from neurological and neurodegenerative diseases remains enigmatic and is burdened by significant stigma. Diagnosis poses a considerable challenge in treating any disease, and this complexity is amplified when it comes to neurological diseases due to the lack of diagnostic tests and screening methods. At IGIB, we focus on identifying the genetic loci responsible for diseases like ataxia. Once a diagnosis is made, the primary obstacle to treatment arises from a limited understanding of disease progression. To address this, we employ disease modeling, particularly in animals such as mice, to study neurodegenerative diseases. By delving deeper into the degenerative and neuronal death processes, we gain valuable insights into the reverse phenomenon of brain development and neural circuitry formation. Zebrafish models are particularly instrumental in this pursuit, facilitating the modeling of neurodevelopment.
To further dissect brain development, we zoom in on organoids—mini-brains cultured in dishes and individual cells – neurons and glia. Through this approach, we gain a better understanding of how the brain assembles and functions, including the migration of neurons and the establishment of connections. Additionally, we investigate gene regulation in neurons to explore the underlying mechanisms that govern these processes. These research themes will be further elucidated and unified on World Brain Day, occurring on July 22nd.
What you will find in this month’s issue is a glimpse into the brain through a book review of “The Brain: Story of You” by David Eagleman. The World Microbiome Day celebration at IGIB last week, an initiative undertaken by Dr. Rakesh Sharma’s lab is covered in News & Events.
We hope you enjoy this month’s issue. We eagerly anticipate your suggestions, comments, and contributions for our future editions.
Poorti Kathpalia, a scientist by training, is now pursuing her passion for making science fun and accessible through her sci-comm activities.