Sleep disruption may be an important contributor to the core neurodevelopmental, cognitive and social challenges emblematic of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). As a tool to discover ASD gene networks, Ravi Allada plans to perform high-throughput in vivo behavioral screening assays of transgenic RNA interference libraries in both wild-type fruit flies and flies sensitized with disruptions of ASD risk genes. Specifically, Allada’s team plans to look at altered sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Future studies of the underlying mechanisms for these genetic pathways may lead to a better understanding of ASD pathophysiology as well as the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.

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.