Motoneuron disease (MND) forms part of the ALS/FTD spectrum disorders, for which there is a huge unmet clinical need.   One of the major challenges in advancing our understanding of ALS/FTD is the lack of complex multicellular human model systems to investigate disease driving mechanisms.  This project addresses these issues through the establishment of a human iPSC based in vitro model of ALS involving the co-culture of two of the main cell types implicated in the disease, motoneurons and microglia. The model will be characterised using a combination of functional, phenotypic and omics approaches.

Yujing is currently a UK DRI Postdoctoral Researcher at King’s College London.