Laura Wolbeck

Name: Laura Wolbeck

Nationality: German

Academic Background: 

B.Sc. Molecular Medicine (University of Göttingen); M.Sc. Molecular Biosciences, Major: Neuroscience (University of Heidelberg)

Project title: Differential impact of maternal inflammation on neuronal cell-types and their progenitors

Project background: Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy elicited by for example a viral infection influences the development of neuronal progenitor cells. It is believed that elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood of the infected mother result in disturbance of the embryonic brain development. This environmental insult during embryonic neurogenesis can manifest in adolescence in form of a mental disorder like schizophrenia, autism or epilepsy. The biological mechanisms behind this remains elusive. In this project we use a MIA mouse model and study the embryonic as well as adult brains of the MIA-exposed offspring by applying single-cell RNA sequencing. This technique allows us to capture the gene expression of thousands of single cells at the same time. Thus, we can identify cell-type specific pathways that are affected due to MIA.

Project Aim: We aim to identify which specific neuronal cell-types and molecular pathways are affected upon acute maternal immune system activation in the embryonic mouse brain. Moreover, we also want to study the long-term, cell-type specific effect of MIA on the adult brain. 

Expected outcome: Not all neuronal cell-types and their progenitors are affected in the same way by maternal immune system activation. We hope to identify specific cell-types that can be targeted in future studies to develop therapeutic intervention against neurodevelopmental disorders

Contact:  laura.wolbeck@bric.ku.dk, Twitter: @wol_laura