New method uses virus-like protein to package, deliver RNA
A novel gene delivery system taps a protein found in people to encapsulate messenger RNA and transport it into cells.
Rare or common, inherited or spontaneous, mutations form the core of autism risk.
A novel gene delivery system taps a protein found in people to encapsulate messenger RNA and transport it into cells.
Over the past century, scientists have used a variety of animal models to advance their understanding of the developing brain and autism.
In the past two decades, some autism researchers have turned to simple animals, such as roundworms, fruit flies and zebrafish, for their investigations. Others have sought answers from experiments with frogs, birds and even octopuses.
Researchers are increasingly turning to simple animals to learn about autism biology and find leads for new drugs.
Parallels between how birds learn to sing and how children learn to speak provide a window into the roots of language difficulties in autism.
Frogs are useful for autism research for a slew of reasons, including the fact that the animals’ initial development occurs outside of the mother’s body in plain view.
Steve Warren co-discovered the genetic mechanism that underpins fragile X syndrome and was a generous, inspiring mentor to many.
Inhibiting a protein that helps cells move or change shape prevents atypical neuronal migration in 3D clusters of brain cells carrying autism-linked genetic variants.
Altered electrical activity in the neurons of mice with a mutated copy of SCN2A may explain the animals’ autism-like social behaviors.
Brain responses to visual stimuli are smaller and weaker in children with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, an autism-linked genetic condition, than in non-autistic children.