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Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have transformed the field of disease biology, offering unprecedented opportunities to understand and approach new therapeutic targets. Unlike other fields such as cancer biology, the number of new medications approved during the last decade for neurological diseases is extremely low. Most of the molecules are initially promising but phase out as the complexity of the clinical trial progresses. During my talk, we will explore the potential of iPSCs in modelling complex neurological diseases, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and stress-induced brain conditions. I will discuss how region-specific cells can be modelled using iPSCs and further enable the creation of cell type specific models that recapitulate disease phenotypes, thus providing valuable insights into disease mechanisms and progression. The presentation will highlight recent findings in cell-cell interactions and its clinical potential. Data, from my group, demonstrates how these cellular models can be used to unravel the molecular and cellular underpinnings of disease, leading to the identification of novel cell specific therapeutic targets. This will aid in bridging the gap between basic neuroscience research and clinical applications, ultimately paving the way for more effective treatments and improved patient outcomes. |