My research is focused on lineage specification of neural crest stem cells (NSCSs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) with a view intended for modeling of human congenital diseases. In particular, we reported a study about disease modeling with hPSCs of Familial Dysautonomia (FD) and found interesting symptom-relevant phenotypes in these patient-specific cells. Furthermore, as an effort to discover novel drug, we are currently working on high throughput screening using patient-specific FD-iPSC derived NCSCs. Additionally we are also interested in disease modeling of CIPA (Congenital Insensitivity of Pain and Anhidrosis) and CMT1A (Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A), which have symptoms mostly in nociceptive neurons and Schwann cells, respecitively.
I hope these study will help detailed understanding of pathogenesis and ultimately will be useful to find a drug and/or potential cell therapy in various neural crest related diseases.
