Dr. Thomas Durcan is an Associate Professor and Director of the Early Drug Discovery Unit at the Montreal Neurological Institute. He oversees a team of 40+ research staff and students, committed to applying patient-derived stem cells towards the development of phenotypic discovery assays and 3D neuronal organoid models for neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. He talks about modeling sporadic ALS in a dish, partnering with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and promoting open science.

SARS-CoV-2 in the Placenta – Researchers developed induced trophoblast stem cell models to study placental models of infection.

Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in the Embryo – Loss of microRNA-128 in zebrafish leads to an expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the aorta–gonad–mesonephros.

Cochlear Organoids – Derived hair cells exhibit cochlear-like structural and functional properties.

Cell Replacement in a Chimeric Mouse Brain – Old or diseased human glial cells in the chimeric mouse brain are eliminated by transplanted young cells.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Thomas Durcan

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