Meet Our Researchers
Jordan Doman
“Instead of linking a diagnosis to genes, I’m connecting groups of genes to their collective effect on cellular function.”
How can we improve the diagnosis of complex central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism spectrum disorder, which can be difficult to diagnose from symptoms alone?
Microglia, the brain’s immune cells, can clear harmful plaques and proteins in the brain. But in Alzheimer’s disease, the chronic activation of microglia leads to neuroinflammation that impairs the clearance of plaques and proteins. Microglial dysfunction has also been linked to autism spectrum disorders. Jordan will use CRISPR screens to identify genes that regulate microglia. She’ll then use the data from her screens to build a statistical tool that estimates an individual’s genetic predisposition to microglial dysfunction. She believes the tool, which she calls a “polygenic phenotype score,” will lead to more accurate diagnoses of complex central nervous system disorders in which microglia play a crucial role.