Neurodevelopment

Thomas Kim’s laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms and functions of different cell states and types in both neurodegeneration and neurodevelopment. We aim to use data science to generate hypotheses that can be tested through bench science experiments. The primary focus of our neurodegeneration project is to investigate the molecular mechanisms that control various microglial states in neurodegenerative disorders and to evaluate the potential of targeting these populations as therapeutic interventions. Our neurodevelopment project focuses on understanding the specification of the hypothalamus, which is a key regulator of the physiological homeostasis of innate behaviors. To address these questions, we will employ multi-omic methods and utilize in vitro and in vivo functional genomic approaches.

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Research focus: neurocognitive and social cognitive deficits in children with familiar high risk of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, patients with first-episode schizophrenia and patients with autism. Methods: neuroimaging(fMRI) and assessment.

My research goals involve examining the effects of Early Life Adversity (ELA) on neurodevelopment. Our team takes a multifaceted approach, analyzing epigenetic and molecular biomarkers related to ELA, addictions, and severe mental disorders. We also combine data from neuroimaging and multi-omics studies in human and animal populations to better understand how internal and external environmental factors can impact development from prenatal stages to aging. Additionally, we utilize animal models to study how prenatal and postnatal exposures to factors such as diet, stress, and drugs can affect the neurobiology of vulnerability and resilience during the lifespan.

Cerebral palsy as a model of early brain damage, including pain, psychiatric comorbidity and bone health. Clinical and register-based reserach.

Computational modelling of cognition, particularly aberrant information processing leading to maladaptive beliefs such as delusions. Various applications of this modelling to computational psychiatry: schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, etc.

Identifying and characterizing genes that confer risk or resilience to psychiatric disorders. The research involves large-scale genomics studies of 10-100,000 individuals, analyzing comprehensive multidimensional health and biological omics data.

We use human electrophysiology (MEG and EEG) and fMRI to study the function of brain circuits and their dysfunction in major psychiatric disorders

We define neuronal circuits of human and rodent cerebral cortex and connected subcortical areas. Methods; genetic mouse models of psychiatric disorders; electrophysiology, imaging, optogenetics, circuit mapping, pharmacology, anatomy, behavior.

Using neuroembryology, in vitro/in vivo imaging, transgenic mice, behavior and cell biology we study a receptor family recently identified as top risk genes in ADHD, schizophrenia and autism. The receptors also control memory formation and forgetting

Studying the evolution, development and cellular complexity of the entorhinal cortex. Development of multiomic technologies for studying neural networks. Investigating the role of pathogens in Alzheimer’s disease.

Mechanisms fine-tuning gene expression in developing and diseased brain through Imaging. Special interest: 3D genome organization & Non-coding RNAs. Methods: Advanced Microscopy (Super Resolution) & image analysis, genetic & epigenetic methods

Structure-based drug discovery, development of molecular probes and ligand-based novel methodologies to investigate identity, localization, function and therapeutic potential of relevant target proteins with neuroprotection in focus.

Study the shared risk factors for dementia and cardiovascular disease by investigating genomics and blood and CSF biomarkers. Establishment of causal aspects of risk factors by applying Mendelian randomization approaches.

Developing peptide-based modulators of receptor complexes in the brain

We investigate disease mechanisms with a translational approach linking the clinical features to genetic/epigenetic defects and cellular pathology and return the gained knowledge back to the patients in form of counselling, diagnosis, or treatment.

IBP is a world leading research organisation in complex disease genomics renowned for systematic integration of population-wide genealogy, genomics, healthcare, and socio-demographic data to disentangle the mysteries of mental disorders

We study chemical synaptic transmission, including the basal mechanisms and its dysregulation in disease, for instance in epileptic encephalopathies. Methods are molecular, cell biological (e.g. human iPSCs) and electrophysiological/optical.

microcircuits studied by patch clamp recording and calcium imaging

We study mechanisms that are responsible for neuronal specification, positioning and circuit formation during brain development, and how these mechanisms are impaired in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, autism and others

We investigate synatpic transmission by mathematical modelling, electrophysiology, live- and super-resolution microscopy

We do drug-related data science in pharmacogenomics combining elements of chemo/bioinformatics, pharmacology, and pharmacoepidemiology in order to better understand the interindividual variability to a given therapeutic treatment

We focus on AMPA and NMDA receptors that mediate most excitatory neurotransmission in the brain study. We study receptor molecular function, regulation, and pharmacology, and the role of human receptor mutations in neurodevelopmental diseases.

Precision medicine in epilepsy: biomarkers, risk and resilience factors for drug-resistance and cognitive, psychiatric and behavioural comorbidity. Precise methods for localising the epileptogenic zone and networks in epilepsy surgery candidates.

The Neurogenomics groups aims at mapping the genomic mehcansim of neurological disoders

Medicinal chemistry, discovery of novel tool compounds for CNS research

We follow a group of 522 children of parents with mental illness longitudinally with MR scan, eeg, meg and polysomnography, and motor function.

Neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders (externalizing and internalizing) and (mostly task-based) fMRI (some neuropsychology) – intervention studies too. Work on the developmental impact of maltreatment and substance use in adolescents.

Clinical cohort study of children with familial risk for severe mental illness and intervention and prevention strategies for this group

Tiwari Lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining cutting-edge neurobiology, epigenetics, genomics and bioinformatics to reveal gene regulatory mechanisms underlying brain development and its disruption in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Epidemiology and genetics of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Mainly based on register-based data.

Our activity consists of translational studies (clinical part) and clinical studies that address critical needs for clinical trial readiness, in different genetic neurodevelopmental disorders with epilepsy.

We study neurodevelopment in health and disease by characterizing cellular signaling in neurons using proteomics, molecular biology, imaging and bioinformatics. Our main biological model system is 3D brain organoids.

We investigate selective visual attention and perception using EEG and behavioral measures. Main areas of expertise are feature-based attention (e.g. colour, orientation) and recordings of oscillatory steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP).

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The overall aim of our research is to unravel the underlying mechanisms of genetic epilepsies, to understand correlations with clinical symptoms and to find new treatment options.