Sep 18 2026, 10:00am
Modeling the Human Brain in a Dish: iPSC-Derived Platforms to Study Neurodegeneration
With the seminar “Modeling the Human Brain in a Dish: iPSC-Derived Platforms to Study Neurodegeneration”, Valentina Fossati opened the Women Driving Discovery series, dedicated to women at the forefront of contemporary scientific research. Co-Director & Principal Scientist at The Jackson Laboratory at the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, Fossati traced her work on the development of human brain models derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): from establishing differentiation protocols and patient-specific cell-line cohorts to building automated population-scale platforms. The seminar also provided an overview of the state of the art and the current limitations of these models, which are becoming increasingly important for investigating the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This approach also opens new perspectives for the development of more effective therapies and for so-called “clinical trials in a dish”. The event was also an opportunity to reflect on the role of women in research and on the importance of training and inspiring a new generation of scientists.
Valentina Fossati, PhD Co-Director & Principal Scientist, The Jackson Laboratory-NYSCF, New York, NY, USA Valentina.Fossati@jax.org
Download the poster of the event
Aula Milani dell’Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 28 – Milano
Women Driving Discovery è la nuova serie di incontri promossa dal centro UniStem con scienziate di fama internazionale attive nei campi delle bioscienze e della biomedicina. Attraverso seminari dedicati ai temi di frontiera della ricerca, l’iniziativa favorisce il confronto tra comunità scientifica e industria, promuovendo al tempo stesso visibilità, networking e nuove collaborazioni. La serie intende inoltre valorizzare il ruolo delle donne nelle discipline STEM e sostenere la crescita e il posizionamento delle giovani scienziate italiane nel panorama nazionale e internazionale.
