Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A version of this video with audio description track is available here:
youtube.com/watch?v=qC76ZcSjL94
Human brain organoids help researchers study neurodevelopmental disorders that are difficult to examine directly in developing brain tissue. Giorgia Quadrato, USC, uses cortical organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells to examine SYNGAP1, an autism risk gene associated in the transcript with intellectual disability, epilepsy, and global developmental delay. Quadrato describes how SYNGAP1 appears in progenitor cells as well as neurons, and how SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency is linked to disrupted radial glia organization, altered cell division, and faster maturation of cortical projection neurons. She also discusses newer work focused on enteric neurons, gastrointestinal symptoms, and gut motility. By connecting brain development, autism genetics, and the enteric nervous system, this research points to models that may help test therapies and better understand symptoms that affect families. Recorded on 11/07/2025. [7/2026] [Show ID: 41174]
0:00 Modeling Human Brain Development and Disease
0:24 Why Autism Genetics Are Hard to Study
1:49 How Brain Organoids Model the Fetal Cortex
3:59 SYNGAP1 in Progenitor Cells and Rosettes
10:15 Faster Neuron Maturation in SYNGAP1 Organoids
14:46 Autism Genes and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
19:00 Gut Motility Models for Therapy Screening
20:19 Q&A: Migration, Seizures, and Maturation
Donate to UCTV to support informative & inspiring programming:
uctv.tv/donate
Please Note: Knowledge about health and medicine is constantly evolving. This information may become out of date.
More videos from: Autism Tree Annual Neurodiversity Conference 2025
(uctv.tv/autism-tree-project-2025)
Explore More Health & Medicine on UCTV
(uctv.tv/health)
UCTV features the latest in health and medicine from University of California medical schools. Find the information you need on cancer, transplantation, obesity, disease and much more.
Explore More Science & Technology on UCTV
(uctv.tv/science)
Science and technology continue to change our lives. University of California scientists are tackling the important questions like climate change, evolution, oceanography, neuroscience and the potential of stem cells.
UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world.
(https://www.uctv.tv)
A version of this video with audio description track is available here:
youtube.com/watch?v=qC76ZcSjL94
Human brain organoids help researchers study neurodevelopmental disorders that are difficult to examine directly in developing brain tissue. Giorgia Quadrato, USC, uses cortical organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells to examine SYNGAP1, an autism risk gene associated in the transcript with intellectual disability, epilepsy, and global developmental delay. Quadrato describes how SYNGAP1 appears in progenitor cells as well as neurons, and how SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency is linked to disrupted radial glia organization, altered cell division, and faster maturation of cortical projection neurons. She also discusses newer work focused on enteric neurons, gastrointestinal symptoms, and gut motility. By connecting brain development, autism genetics, and the enteric nervous system, this research points to models that may help test therapies and better understand symptoms that affect families. Recorded on 11/07/2025. [7/2026] [Show ID: 41174]
0:00 Modeling Human Brain Development and Disease
0:24 Why Autism Genetics Are Hard to Study
1:49 How Brain Organoids Model the Fetal Cortex
3:59 SYNGAP1 in Progenitor Cells and Rosettes
10:15 Faster Neuron Maturation in SYNGAP1 Organoids
14:46 Autism Genes and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
19:00 Gut Motility Models for Therapy Screening
20:19 Q&A: Migration, Seizures, and Maturation
Donate to UCTV to support informative & inspiring programming:
uctv.tv/donate
Please Note: Knowledge about health and medicine is constantly evolving. This information may become out of date.
More videos from: Autism Tree Annual Neurodiversity Conference 2025
(uctv.tv/autism-tree-project-2025)
Explore More Health & Medicine on UCTV
(uctv.tv/health)
UCTV features the latest in health and medicine from University of California medical schools. Find the information you need on cancer, transplantation, obesity, disease and much more.
Explore More Science & Technology on UCTV
(uctv.tv/science)
Science and technology continue to change our lives. University of California scientists are tackling the important questions like climate change, evolution, oceanography, neuroscience and the potential of stem cells.
UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world.
(https://www.uctv.tv)
