The cellular diversity of the human brain is immense, which is generated through evolutionarily conserved developmental mechanisms. The system is robust enough to create functional masterpiece; yet is susceptible to failure that may lead to cognitive dysfunction.
My lab aims to delineate the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind cell fate decisions of neural stem cells that lead to diverse cell types. A secondary goal is to determine how these mechanisms fain in mutations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and malignancies. We use state-of-the art single cell sequencing techniques, CRISPR-mediated gene inactivation, mouse genetics and computational tools to run multidisciplinary, collaborative projects.
Basak lab 