Advanced cell techniques to study developmental neurobiology and toxicology

The developing nervous system is difficult to model in vitro. The complexity of the nervous system, the multitude of cells and the duration of this process represent tremendous challenges. However, in order to understand the various aspects of these processes and possible perturbations in disease or due to toxic or traumatic insults, it is necessary to make such cell models available. With the advent of stem cells, this field has given a boost to the development of organo-typic models, which promise to represent neural development and the possible targets of disruption. 188Using patient-derived stem cells, the relevant genetic backgrounds can be studied and even combined with stressors, which might aggravate the manifestation of developmental disorders.