Zhiping Pang
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Rutgers University
Neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder are deeply complex and often linked to genetic risk factors. Despite rapid advances in genetics, understanding how specific genes contribute to these conditions remains challenging. In my talk, I’ll discuss how we use human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to bridge this gap. For example, by studying neurons with mutations in the SETD1A gene—strongly associated with schizophrenia—we’ve uncovered how these genetic changes disrupt neural structure, communication, and gene regulation, potentially explaining aspects of the disorder. Similarly, exploring microglia (immune cells in the brain) from individuals with a high genetic risk for alcohol use disorder reveals how alcohol exposure alters immune responses and synaptic connections, shedding light on how genetics and the environment interact in the brain. Finally, I’ll share how large-scale efforts advance our understanding of hundreds of neuropsychiatric disorder risk genes using cutting-edge techniques like single-cell sequencing, high-throughput imaging, and functional assays. Together, these studies aim to unravel the intricate biology of neuropsychiatric disorders, paving the way for better treatments and improved patient outcomes.
View a recording of this session here.