QB3-UCSC Graduate Fellowship for Innovators
I investigate the intricate molecular processes underlying human brain development, particularly focusing on the role of extracellular RNA (exRNA) in early corticogenesis. I utilize human cortical organoids, 3D cell models that mimic the developing brain, to study how exRNA, secreted from cells within vesicles, can act as a signal, conveying information about cellular stress, state, and identity. My work aims to develop non-invasive “liquid biopsy” techniques using exRNA to monitor the health and differentiation of brain organoids, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of intercellular communication in the developing brain and the identification of biomarkers for neurological disorders. My research explores how exRNA is transferred between cells and the implications for gene expression, offering a new perspective on the mechanisms that govern early human brain development.