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Lab publishes new paper in JCI Insight

Yingxiao (TK) Shi and colleagues in the Ichida Lab developed induced motor neuron (iMN) models from C9ORF72 and sporadic ALS (sALS) patients, which together comprise ~90% of patients. iMNs from C9ORF72 and several sporadic ALS patients share two common defects involving autophagosomes and glutamate receptors. An anticoagulation-deficient form of activated protein C, 3K3A-APC, rescues these…Continue Reading Lab publishes new paper in JCI Insight

Yichen Li and Justin Ichida publish preview in Cell Stem Cell

Direct lineage conversion offers a fast and simple method to study mature neurons in vitro, but its utility for investigating neurodevelopment has remained unclear. Yichen Li and Justin Ichida preview research by Chanda et al. (2019), using Ngn2-induced neurons to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of the teratogenic compound valproic acid. To read the preview, visit…Continue Reading Yichen Li and Justin Ichida publish preview in Cell Stem Cell

Innovators of USC: Justin Ichida stays at the forefront of ALS research

Justin Ichida keeps his research patient-based. That’s why Ichida, an assistant professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and his startup company AcuraStem participated in the ALS Association Golden West Chapter Walk to Defeat ALS at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. The group walked alongside Team…Continue Reading Innovators of USC: Justin Ichida stays at the forefront of ALS research

The USC scientist who aims to beat ALS, and the patients cheering him on

Justin Ichida regularly gets emails from strangers asking an urgent question: Will your research on ALS be done in time to save my life? “I don’t really know them, but they tell me their whole story,” said Ichida, a scientist with the USC Stem Cell program. “They’ll ask, ‘How long is it going to take…Continue Reading The USC scientist who aims to beat ALS, and the patients cheering him on