Zika virus impairs growth in human neurospheres and brain organoids
Since the emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV), reports of microcephaly have increased dramatically in Brazil; however, causality between the widespread epidemic and malformations in fetal brains has not been confirmed. Here, we examine the effects of ZIKV infection in human neural stem cells growing as neurospheres and cerebral organoids. Using immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, we show that ZIKV targets human brain cells, reducing their viability and growth as neurospheres and cerebral organoids. These results suggest that ZIKV abrogates neurogenesis during human brain development.
Date: 5 April 2016, 16:00 (Tuesday, -2nd week, Trinity 2016)
Venue: Large Lecture Theatre, Le Gros Clark Building, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford
Speaker: Dr Patricia Pestana Garcez
Organising department: Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG)
Organiser: Prof Zoltan Molnar (Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: zoltan.molnar@dpag.ox.ac.uk
Topics:
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Victoria Bullett