Sandeep Gupta

Area of Study / Keywords

Organoids Neural circuit formation autism human stem cells

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Research

My lab in the Department of Cell Biology at UofA focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying complex neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We utilize cutting-edge stem cell-based models, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and neural organoids, to explore human-specific disruptions in neural circuits and discover new therapeutic targets. Our work integrates developmental biology, stem cell biology, and genomics to develop robust, patient-specific models for identifying novel drug targets and regenerative therapies.

Another key area of our research is understanding how human neural differentiation is regulated at the molecular level. We investigate diverse genes involved in various biological processes using neural organoid models. By manipulating these factors, we aim to uncover how cellular diversity in the human nervous system is achieved and controlled, leading to improved models of human neural development.

Additionally, my lab is involved with developing regenerative medicine protocols for neural injuries such as stroke and spinal cord damage, generating specific neuron types for repairing damaged circuits. Our approach involves collaboration with international partners to enhance treatment effectiveness and personalized therapies.

Publications: 

1.    Gupta S*, Heinrich E*, Novitch BG, and Butler SJ (2024). Investigating the basis of lineage decisions and developmental trajectories in the dorsal spinal cord through pseudotime analyses. Development, * contributed equally. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.202209

2.    Alvarez, S, Gupta S, Honeychurch K, Mercado-Ayon Y, and Butler SJ (2024). Netrin patterns the dorsal spinal cord through modulation of BMP signaling. Cell Reports; doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114954

3.    Gupta S, Kawaguchi R, Heinrichs E, Mandric I, Gallardo S, Castellanos S, Novitch BG, and Butler SJ (2022). In vitro atlas of dorsal spinal interneurons reveals Wnt signaling as a critical regulator of progenitor expansion.Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111119 (Recommended by Faculty Opinions)

4.    Gupta S, Yamauchi K, Novitch BG, and Butler SJ (2021). Derivation of Dorsal Sensory Interneurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. STAR Protocols. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100319

5.    Gupta S*, and Butler SJ. (2021) Getting in touch of your senses: Mechanisms specifying sensory interneurons in the dorsal spinal cord. WIREs Mechanism of Disease (invited review). * Co-corresponding author. DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1520

6.    Gupta S, Udaykumar N, and Sen J. (2020) Forebrain roof plate morphogenesis and hippocampus development in the chick embryo. Int. J. Dev. Bio (invited review). 2020;64(1-2-3):247-257.doi: 10.1387/ijdb.190143js.

7.    Han AY, Gupta S, Novitch BG. (2018) Molecular specification of facial branchial motor neurons in vertebrates. Developmental Biology. 2018 Jan 29. DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.01.019

8.    Gupta S, Sivalingam D, Hain S, Makkar C, Sosa E, Clark A, Butler SJ (2018). Deriving Dorsal Sensory Interneurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.12.012

9.    Gupta, S. Sen, J. (2015). Retinoic acid signaling regulates the development of the dorsal forebrain midline and the choroid plexus in the chick. Development. [Epub ahead of print] DOI: 10.1242/dev.122390

10.    Gupta, S., Maurya, R., Saxena, M., Sen, J (2012). Defining structural homology between the mammalian and avian hippocampus through conserved gene expression patterns observed in the chick embryo. Developmental Biology. DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.03.027

11.    Gupta, S. Sen, J. (2012) A Bird’s Eye view of vertebrate forebrain development. Journal of the Indian Institute of Science (Vol 92, no: 4, 2012)

Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=48pBkg8AAAAJ&hl=en

Sandy Alvarez, Sandeep Gupta, Yesica Mercado-Ayon, Kaitlyn Honeychurch, Cristian Rodriguez, Riki Kawaguchi, Samantha J Butler

Cell reports. 2024 November;

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Sandeep Gupta, Eric Heinrichs, Bennett G. Novitch, Samantha J. Butler

Development. 2024 May; 10.1242/dev.202209

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Sandeep Gupta, Riki Kawaguchi, Eric Heinrichs, Salena Gallardo, Stephanie Castellanos, Igor Mandric, Bennett G Novitch, Samantha J Butler

Cell reports. 2022 July;

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Sandeep Gupta, Daniel Sivalingam, Samantha Hain, Christian Makkar, Enrique Sosa, Amander Clark, Samantha J Butler

Stem Cell Reports. 2018 February;

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