Investigation of alpha-synuclein associated synaptic dysfunction by unraveling the molecular mechanisms using 3D brain organoid model

作为首席研究员，Jo Junghyun Jo博士在2022年1月初决定停止KAKENHI项目，因为他辞去了OIST的职位，在大约10个月的时间里没有太多研究成果。根据第一年和第二年的具体目标1，他成功地使用野生型和GBA1人类胚胎干细胞创造了hMLO-hSLO融合器官，这些干细胞显示出相互的黑质-纹状体和纹状体-黑质投射。使用融合有机体，他已经验证了多巴胺能神经元和GABA能神经元在每个区域之间突触的形成。此外，他还证实了融合有机体中形成了α-突触核蛋白聚集。

As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Junghyun Jo decided to discontinue the KAKENHI project in early January 2022 because he resigned from his position at OIST, there were not much research achievements for about 10 months. Following the Specific Aim 1 for Year 1 and 2, he has successfully created hMLO-hSLO fusion organoid using wildtype and GBA1 human embryonic stem cells that showed reciprocal nigro-striatal and striato-nigral projections. Using the fusion organoid, he has validated the formation of synapses between dopaminergic neurons and GABAergic neurons at each area. Also, he confirmed the formation of alpha-synuclein aggregation in the fusion organoids.