Alpha - Synuclein Blocks Neuroprotective Effort

The strong development in producing neurons ready for transplantation has been widely documented, from directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to the direct conversion from skin cell to brain cell. However, tools for measuring the transplanted cells ability to connect to the synaptic circuitry in the host brain has been unsatisfactory. The new task force aims to use the unique qualitites of the rabies virus to analyze the level of connectivity achieved after transplantation. Being able to accurately evaluate the efficiency of the grafting process is key for moving cell therapy closer to the clinic.