UTSA | Catalyst 2020
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium is developing precision brain therapies to transform patients’ lives
Catalyst 2020 | UTSA
In 2012, scientists invented a technology that makes changes to DNA in
Dr. Melanie Carless, an associate professor in the Department of Biology,
cells—and holds the potential to create positive endings for stories like
recently joined the consortium. She provides expertise in defining the
Peterson’s. This technology, called CRISPR gene editing, could one day
genetic basis of brain health and furthering the understanding of the
fix mutations that cause a number of genetic diseases. In the future,
biology behind neurological and psychiatric disorders. “One of the most
some genetic diseases maybe be able to be cured as soon as a diagnosis
striking aspects of this consortium is the welcoming and collaborative
is made. Therapies such as CRISPR are developed as a “disease-in-a-
spirit of all members,” she says. “Since arriving, I have been involved in
dish,” a model that recreates the development of human disorders using
developing several new project ideas with other investigators that really
a patient’s stem cells. Drugs are first tested in these cellular models, then
push the boundaries of interdisciplinary research. Efforts such as this will
tested in animals, and finally tested in clinical trials. Using CRISPR and
contribute to UTSA’s mission to advance knowledge through research,
other technologies, UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium (BHC)—recently
discovery and teaching, as well as promote its vision to be a premier
approved as an organized research unit under the Vice President for Re-
public research university.”
search, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise—is already making progress toward a future where the diagnosis of a genetic disease is not a dead end, but instead the first step toward a cure. Researchers at UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium contribute their expertise—in neurodegenerative disease, brain circuitry, traumatic brain injury, regenerative medicine, drug design and psychology—to large-scale research projects that seek to produce a greater understanding of the complex workings of the brain and the factors that lead to its decline.
By Daniel Lockerbie
The consortium focuses on four research areas: neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), neurodevelopmental disorders (epilepsy, autism), neuropsychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder,
The brain is one of the most fascinating organs in the human body. It is also the most complex, able to perform a seemingly endless number of functions and abilities, all while storing a vast amount of information. But this multifaceted organ is prone to a number of diseases, many of them unexplainable and incurable. What if a genetic diagnosis was the first step toward a cure?
addiction) and traumatic brain injury.
The consortium also offers courses and opportunities for students looking to further their research, such as Kaisha Meyer, who is a second-year
Led by director Dr. Jenny Hsieh, professor of biology and the Semmes
neurobiology Ph.D. student in Hsieh’s lab. “BHC is collaborative and
Foundation Chair in Cell Biology, the UTSA Brain Health Consortium plays
spans several different fields with the common goal of tackling the com-
a pivotal role in furthering our understanding of the brain. “UTSA has
plexities of the brain in health and disease,” says Meyer, who is studying
Cindy Peterson is a 45-year-old woman who exercises regularly and has a healthy diet. So it was a
made a bold effort to become a leader in brain health-related research,
genetic risk variants for Alzheimer’s disease. “In most of science, you
and innovative technologies such as CRISPR, multi-omics analysis and
become focused on a small aspect of human disease and you become an
shock when Peterson had a heart attack a year ago. She was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right
human induced pluripotent stem cells add to our capabilities,” says Hsieh.
expert in that. However, in complex brain diseases, it is essential to un-
ventricular hypertrophy, which means the muscle tissue in the right ventricle dies and is replaced
“This is an exciting time for undergraduate and graduate students to get
derstand the whole picture of what is going on to make effective drugs to
with scar tissue. This disrupts the heart’s electrical signals and causes the heart to beat irregularly.
involved in cutting-edge laboratory research. There’s a great need in the
treat patients. As a student, being a part of a collaborative effort reminds
The treatments for this condition, however, just work short-term, and the only long-term option is
workforce for individuals with scientific intellect and possessing both wet
us how collaboration is key to making real progress.” Meyer is particularly
for Peterson to receive a heart transplant. Peterson went to see a genetic counselor and found out
lab and computational skillsets.”
encouraged by the consortium’s approach to collaboration in the name
she has a mutation in a crucial mitochondrial gene that makes energy for the heart and regulates how it beats. Peterson has two children, a 13-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter, and genetic sequencing revealed that both of her children have the same cardiac gene mutation. Peterson’s daughter is already showing similar symptoms.
of furthering research. “I think that mentality of collaboration instead of Currently, BHC membership is being established to encompass a broad
isolation is something we can take with us into our own labs and future
spectrum of disciplines, from engineering to education to biology. One
career paths,” she says. “It’s exciting to be involved in a consortium
member, Dr. George Perry, professor of biology and the Semmes Distin-
of scientists with different backgrounds coming together to solve a
guished Chair in Neurobiology at UTSA, has conducted Alzheimer’s
common problem.”
research for nearly 40 years. Perry says “the consortium provides a Illustrations: MimiPrints. All rights reserved.
broader base of expertise,” a valuable advantage he believes benefits his research.
6
For more information about the Brain Health Consortium, please visit utsa.edu/bhc. 7
