Joel Richter, in collaboration with Andrei Korostelev, plans to investigate the molecular architecture of FMRP-ribosome interactions at high resolution, to understand how protein synthesis goes awry in fragile X syndrome. This understanding may aid in the development of small molecules that mimic the effects of FMRP on ribosome translocation, which in turn might prove therapeutically useful in the treatment of the disorder.

The ability to create a detailed map of brain development across embryogenesis is important in understanding its alterations in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. Reza Kalhor will establish developmental barcoding technologies to map lineage trees of neurons during embryogenesis and compare them in neurotypical and autism genetic mouse models to better understand the etiology of autism.