Alysson Muotri

Alysson Muotri is using stem cells to study possible causes – and cures – for autism and other mental disorders. His work has revealed that autistic brain cells have a different shape and structure, and have problems connecting to neurons. Going even further, he has shown that in the laboratory, autistic cells can be made to revert back to normal cells, something his team will next endeavor to show can also be done in a patient’s brain. His research has been published in scientific journals such as Nature and Cell. He has received support from the National Institutes of Health and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Through his creative approach, Alysson is aiming toward the promise of a potential cure for autism and its serious effects.