Dissecting Neurobiological Mechanisms of ASD: From Genes to Circuits

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Guoping Feng, Ph.D.

Poitras Professor of Neuroscience

Yang Tan Collective and McGovern Institute for Brain Research

Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

fengg@mit.edu

Website

Guoping Feng joined the McGovern Institute in 2010 and current serves as its associate director. He is a faculty member in the brain and cognitive sciences department, where he holds the James W. (1963) and Patricia T. Poitras Professorship. Feng is also the director of model systems and neurobiology in the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute.

Originally from Zhejiang Province in China, Guoping Feng studied medicine at Zhejiang University School of Medicine. He obtained his PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo in the laboratory of Linda Hall and postdoctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis under the guidance of Joshua Sanes. Prior to joining the faculty at MIT in 2010, he was a faculty member in the neurobiology department at Duke University School of Medicine.

Summary

Human genetic studies have identified a large number of risk genes for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many of which encode synaptic proteins, suggesting that synaptic dysfunction is a key pathology in ASD. Using a variety of animal models, we have identified distinct synaptic and circuitry mechanisms related to repetitive behaviors, social interaction deficits, sensory abnormalities. Combining single cell transcriptomic analysis and cell type-specific functional manipulation, we have begun to reveal circuit-specific targets for developing potential treatment for some of the debilitating symptoms. In addition, new genome editing technologies allow us to generate non-human primate models and test gene therapy as an effective treatment for monogenic ASD. 

Presentation Objectives: 

  1. To get familiar with basic knowledge of synapses and circuits in the brain.
  2. To get familiar with the basic genetics contributing to autism spectrum disorder.
  3. To learn current status of animal models of autism spectrum disorder
  4. To learn synaptic and circuit mechanisms related to autism spectrum disorder.
  5. To learn the development of therapeutic approaches for autism spectrum disorder 

https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=55030

This page was last updated on Monday, March 24, 2025