David Exposito-Alonso

Somatic mutations and single-nucleus transcriptomics reveal uniquely human properties of neuronal aging

The paper compares somatic mutation rates and transcriptomic changes in neurons across six mammalian species, finding higher mutation accumulation and distinct age-related dysregulation in human neurons.

Pannexin-1 regulates cellular identity and excitability in the developing cortex

This study identifies de novo PANX1 mutations in individuals with PMG and microcephaly, showing they disrupt glycosylation, increase ATP release, and alter cortical development through ion conductance and cell fate regulation.

Transcriptomic Convergence and the Female Protective Effect in Autism

This study shows that perturbations of ASD genes in human neural progenitor cells converge on shared transcriptomic effects, with ZFX potentially mediating the female protective effect.

Comparative transcriptomics reveals human-specific cortical features

This study uses single nucleus transcriptomics to compare human and non-human primate cortical tissues, identifying human-specific gene expression patterns and their potential functional roles.

Cortical wiring by synapse-specific control of local protein synthesis

The paper identifies a signaling pathway that regulates local protein synthesis at specific synapses on PV+ interneurons in the mouse cortex.

Input-specific control of interneuron numbers in nascent striatal networks

The paper identifies input-specific mechanisms regulating the survival of two striatal interneuron subtypes during programmed cell death.