Michael J. Lafferty

This study shows that human cortical organoids generated across multiple sites using a harmonized protocol consistently produce similar cell types and structures, though with some site-specific differences in size and stress markers.

The paper identifies miRNA-eQTLs in human neocortical tissue, linking miR-4707-3p expression to brain size and educational attainment through colocalization with GWAS data.

The paper identifies a genetic locus on chr3p21.1 associated with lithium-induced neural progenitor proliferation and links it to bipolar disorder risk through the gene GNL3.

The paper identifies cell-type specific effects of genetic variation on chromatin accessibility during human neuronal differentiation and links these to regulatory mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorder risk variants.

The paper identifies cell-type specific regulatory mechanisms in human neural progenitors and their neuronal progeny that influence brain-relevant traits, revealing loci not detected in bulk tissue.