Human Developmental Neurobiology

Hundreds of genes linked to autism play a role during the prenatal period, before a child is born. These genes act like a biological blueprint, guiding how the brain builds new nerve cells. Genetic differences during the prenatal phase lead to a unique brain “architecture”—affecting everything from how cells are organized to how the brain balances “stop” and “go” signals.

Understanding these changes is vital because they set a specific path for development. However, the field lacks both high-resolution maps of the brain during this developmental period and reliable mechanisms to connect findings from brain models to individuals.

By tracing this journey from pregnancy through early childhood, we can better understand how a child’s unique brain biology eventually shapes the way they learn, move, and interact with the world. The Human Developmental Neurobiology Hub seeks to create foundational models of the developing human brain using patient-derived organoids and generative AI model systems, with the aim of identifying biological mechanisms that may underlie autism.