Unlocking Tau’s Secrets: Human Brain Cells in the Mouse Brain
Principal Investigator
Mentors
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Li Gan, PhD
Project Goals
This project aims to explore the molecular pathways influencing the spread of tau using an innovative human-mouse chimera model that develops tau accumulation.
Project Summary
Dr. Qu has pioneered modeling tau buildup in human neurons using different types of neural cells from stem cells derived from skin biopsy. This study proposes transplanting both human neurons and microglia—the brain’s immune cells—into mouse brains to generate a groundbreaking chimera human-mouse model that develops tau accumulation. Using this model, the study will also examine how human specific molecular pathways affect the disease's progression. This research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating Alzheimer’s and other tau-related diseases.
Publications
First published on: July 29, 2024
Last modified on: September 10, 2024