Jinghua Piao

This study develops a method to derive and maintain specific subtypes of human midbrain dopaminergic neurons in vitro, revealing their functional and molecular characteristics and potential vulnerability in disease.

The paper benchmarks dopaminergic stem cell models and cell therapy candidates using a human brain atlas to identify off-target populations and lineage plasticity.

This study improves the yield and subtype identity of hPSC-derived midbrain dopamine neurons through optimized WNT and FGF18 signaling modulation, enhancing their functional and transcriptional similarity to primary neurons.