Presenter: Maryam Moarefian

Description: Cortical neurons and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) interneurons play crucial roles in the circuitry of the brain. Cortical neurons, primarily excitatory neurotransmitters, form the backbone of the cerebral cortex, contributing to sensory processing, motor control, and higher cognitive functions. Morphologically, they typically exhibit a pyramidal shape with extensive dendritic arborization. Cortical projection neurons undergoing phases of radial migration can be visualized by targeting dorsally located cortical progenitors with a construct expressing the Green/Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP/GFP) or other fluorescent proteins, at a specific embryonic stage. In contrast, MGE interneurons, with inhibitory neurotransmitters, arise from the embryonic MGE region and migrate tangentially first and then radially to integrate into cortical circuits. Their morphological diversity includes basket cells and chandelier cells. The migration of both cortical neurons and MGE interneurons is orchestrated by multiple cues including electrical and molecular stimuli. Understanding the interplay between these neuron migration types and morphology at the axon level during developmental stages of organoids is essential for unraveling the complexities of neural circuits underlying cognition and behavior. In this application, we developed Brain-Electrotaxis-on-a-Chip (BEC) using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) GFP-dorsal (Cortical) and mcherry-ventral (MGE) organoids to study development of neural networks from Day 15 to Day 35 after organoids aggregation. Spatiotemporal live imaging of twenty days and beyond after seeding organoids in BEC platform will model neuron and interneuron migration pattern, directionality, and velocity during neural developmental stages.

Bio: Maryam received her M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is currently an NIH IRACDA Postdoc Fellow in Professor Mircea Teodorescu’s lab at UC Santa Cruz. An engineer by training, Maryam now works closely with colleagues in the biological sciences within the interdisciplinary Braingeneers research group. to create platforms for growing cerebral organoids, which are miniature, three-dimensional models of brain tissue grown from stem cells. Her contributions are helping the Braingeneers to scale up their studies on the genetics of how neural connections form, and the underpinnings of certain neurological conditions.

Hosted by: Professor Nader Pourmand & UC Santa Cruz BME Department