Research Interests

Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs) arise from the neuro-ectoderm and give rise to many glial and neuronal cell types that populate the Central Nervous System. In the developing mammalian neocortex, NPCs expand through symmetric divisions before they generate cortical neurons through multiple rounds of asymmetric divisions. The timing of neuronal differentiation determines the size of the progenitor pool, the final number of neurons and cortical thickness in the brain.

The Wnt signaling pathway plays multiple roles in cortical neurogenesis. The role of canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling in neurogenesis is, however, complex. It depends on the models, targeted components, and the epistatic level at which the pathway is manipulated. While some studies support Wnt’s role in self renewal of neuroepithelial progenitor, other studies show its role as an inducer of neuronal differentiation.

Nevertheless, the complete landscape of Wnt signaling can be elucidated only when its interaction with other important siganling pathways is studied. Wnt signaling being an important player with dual roles, understanding the molecular mechanisms will form the basis of regulation points of cortical development. Both upstream and downstream elements of the canonical Wnt pathway have been associated with different psychiatric conditions: WNT1 and WNT2 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), WNT2B with bipolar disorder (BD), WNT7A with ASD and BD, WNT7B with schizophrenia (SCZ), LRP5 with SCZ, attention -deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depression (MD), and LRP6 with ADHD. Understanding the interplay of canonical Wnt with other major signaling pathways may help in developing therapeutic strategies.