Author: SHI Lingling

Publisher: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Central Nervous System Regeneration Research Institute

Date: May 21, 2024

In a pioneering collaboration, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Central Nervous System Regeneration Research Institute, together with the esteemed teams of Professor Shi Lingling and Professor Zhang Li, has unveiled groundbreaking research shedding light on the pathogenic mechanism of human SHANK2 gene mutations in autism. The latest research findings, elucidated in the research paper titled Autism patient driven SHANK2BY29X mutation effects of the development of ALDH1A1 negative dopamine neuron, have garnered widespread acclaim following publication in the prestigious international scientific journal, Molecular Psychiatry.

(Screenshot of the paper)

The co-corresponding authors of this seminal paper, Associate Researcher Shi Lingling and Researcher Zhang Li from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Central Nerve Regeneration Research Institute of Jinan University and the First Affiliated Clinical School of Medicine, are hailed for their pivotal contributions to unraveling the intricate complexities surrounding SHANK2 gene mutations and their implications for autism spectrum disorders. Collaborating closely with Researcher Chen Jiekai from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Institute of Health, the trio has spearheaded a transformative research endeavor that promises to reshape our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of autism.

The research team consists of a talented cohort of scientists and scholars, including Lai Wanjing, a Jinan University alumna and doctoral student at the University of Hong Kong, Zhao Yingying, a doctoral candidate at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Institute of Health, and Chen Yalan, a distinguished graduate of Jinan University — all serving as co-first authors of the paper. This diverse and dynamic team underscores the collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary approach that characterizes this groundbreaking research initiative.

The research has received generous support from esteemed luminaries in the academic community, including Academician Su Guohui and Professor Zhou Libing of Jinan University, Professor Xia Kun and Professor Guo Hui of Central South University, as well as a consortium of overseas collaborating professors. Such unwavering support and mentorship have been instrumental in propelling the research forward and ensuring its successful dissemination on the global stage.

Funded by prestigious grants such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, the Higher Education Discipline Innovation Introduction Program, and the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program, this study represents a testament to the collaborative synergy between academia, industry, and government entities in advancing cutting-edge research and driving innovation in the field of neuroscience.

The original research paper can be accessed via the following link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02578-6. This seminal contribution holds profound implications for advancing our knowledge of autism spectrum disorders and holds promise for pioneering new therapeutic interventions and diagnostic strategies in the realm of neurodevelopmental disorders.