Neurodevelopmental Disorders | CHOP Research Institute

Dr. Festa works to understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning normal neurodevelopment with a specific focus on white matter. She also focuses on discovering new therapeutic targets to restore or prevent white matter injury across a number of different pediatric neurologic conditions.

E-mail:

festal1 [at] chop.edu

Cornerstone Blog

Can Medication Improve Blood-Brain Barrier Function in 22q Deletion Syndrome?

Published on

Nov 5, 2025

Targeting the mitochondria improved blood-brain barrier function and cognition in a preclinical model of the genetic disorder.

Qian Laboratory for Human Cerebral Cortex Development

The Qian Lab studies human cerebral cortex development and disease using brain organoids, spatial omics, and genetics to uncover mechanisms of normal development and neurodevelopmental disorders, with the goal of enabling human-specific therapeutic insights.

Xuyu Qian, PhD

Dr. Xuyu Qian investigates the development and diseases of the human cerebral cortex to elucidate the underpinnings of normal brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. His research integrates spatial omics, brain organoids, and genetics to overcome limitations of traditional models.

E-mail:

qianx [at] chop.edu

Cornerstone Blog

Wearable Device Makes Neuroimaging Accessible for Autistic Children

Published on

Nov 22, 2024

Wearable Device Makes Neuroimaging Accessible for Autistic Children

CHOP researchers are developing a tool to illuminate brain activity in children with severe neurodevelopmental disorders, who are often excluded from research.

Cornerstone Blog

Hispanic Heritage Month: Q&A With Research Trainee Sabrina A. Santos De León

Published on

Oct 10, 2024

Meet our October Featured Research Trainee, Sabrina A. Santos De León to learn more about her work with neurodevelopmental disorder phenotypes.

Cornerstone Blog

New Translational Neuroscience Center is BRIDGE between Genetics and Therapies

Published on

Sep 16, 2024

New Center of Emphasis is BRIDGE between Genetics and Therapies

CHOP’s new translational neuroscience center, BRIDGE, works to understand basic and translational mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Center for Brain Research in Development, Genetics, and Engineering

The Center for Brain Research in Development, Genetics and Engineering (BRIDGE) applies innovative technology and advanced model systems to understand basic mechanisms of brain development and advance the implementation of novel therapeutics.

Cristancho Laboratory

The Cristancho Lab is interested in understanding the epigenetic mechanisms driving long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities from acquired prenatal and perinatal brain injury. Our goal is to develop novel therapies that can be used throughout the lifespan to improve outcomes for children.

Michael Gandal, MD, PhD

Dr. Gandal investigates the genetic contributions to typical human brain development and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. His multidisciplinary research program integrates genetics with functional genomic profiling in the human brain, along with bioinformatics and computational biology.

E-mail:

gandalm [at] chop.edu