We have recently shown that the in-vitro neural tube structure, the ?neural rosette? is affected in autism induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived neurons. This suggests that an autism diagnosis has genetic and epigenetic influences affecting atypical iPSC neural differentiation (Adhya et al 2021). We are currently studying gene regulatory pathways that cause atypical neural rosette formation in autism, focussing on the role of histone modifications and transcriptional activation. Specifically, we are investigating the role of the MLL/SET protein family on early neurodevelopment. We are also studying effects of genes and epigenome on neuronal outcomes using a 3D cerebral organoid approach. Finally, we are looking at the role of autism-associated sex chromosomal genes and sex hormones on transcriptional and epigenetic processes during 3D cerebral organoid development.
