Poster #070
Targeting Zeb1 in Human NPCs using Lentiviral Approaches
Mentor: Cesar Gonzalez
Sequential production of neurons and glial cells is necessary to give rise to a functional central nervous system during early brain development. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) follow an internal biological clock regulating the production of these cells, where neurons precede the production of glial cells in a process referred to as the gliogenic switch. This transition is crucial as glial cells support synaptic communication, myelination, and immune responses. Disruptions in these processes can lead to neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. We previously performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis to identify genes regulating the gliogenic switch. From this, Zeb1 emerged as a candidate that may play a role in regulating this switch. We aim to investigate the role of Zeb1 in a murine model and a human neural stem cell model using lentiviruses for gain and loss-of-function. Understanding Zeb1 will expand our knowledge of glial cell biology, potentially impacting glial cell-based therapies.