Dr Eunchai Kang

Biography

BSc: Biological Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

PhD: Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA          

Postdoctoral Fellow: Institute of Cell Engineering. The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA   

Research Associate: Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA  

Research Overview

Our research aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that shape human brain development and how disruptions to these processes contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

A central focus of the lab is the behaviour of human neural stem cells and the ways in which genetic and environmental factors influence their development. Neural stem cells generate the diverse cell types that form the brain, and changes in their behaviour can have lasting consequences for brain structure and function. To investigate these processes in a human-specific context, we use advanced experimental systems including brain organoids, human fetal brain ex vivo cultures, and multi-omics technologies. These models allow us to study human brain development in unprecedented detail. A key theme across our work is understanding neuroimmune interactions and how immune signals influence developmental trajectories under both normal and disease-related conditions.

Neural Stem Cell Behaviour

Human brain development depends on tightly regulated behaviours of neural stem and progenitor cells, including proliferation, lineage commitment, migration, and interactions with surrounding cells and the extracellular environment. Disruptions in these processes can lead to long-term structural and functional consequences and are associated with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability.

Our research investigates how neural stem cells respond to intrinsic genetic programmes as well as environmental signals. One line of work examines the role of Galectin-3, a protein traditionally associated with immune and extracellular functions, which may also act within the nucleus of human neural progenitor cells. This work explores how Galectin-3 may regulate chromatin organisation and gene expression to influence astrocyte fate and glial diversity in the developing human cortex.

Another research direction investigates how maternal immune activation influences neural stem cell behaviour during development. This work focuses on how immune-related signals alter metabolic regulation within neural progenitors and influence cell fate decisions. We also study how maternal immune activation affects the ganglionic eminence, the embryonic source of cortical interneurons, where disruptions in interneuron generation may contribute to imbalances between excitation and inhibition in the developing cortex.

Human Brain Model Systems

To study human brain development, the lab develops and applies advanced human experimental systems. These include region-specific brain organoids modelling different parts of the developing brain, including cortical, hippocampal, ganglionic eminence, and choroid plexus organoids. We also generate assembloid systems that combine multiple organoid types and incorporate vascular and immune components, enabling the study of interactions between different brain cell populations.

In parallel, the lab has established a three-dimensional ex vivo culture system using human fetal brain tissue. This platform allows the study of brain development in a native human tissue context and enables validation of findings from organoid models. These systems are combined with single-cell transcriptomics and other multi-omics approaches to characterise gene expression dynamics and identify molecular pathways influenced by environmental exposures.

Neuroimmune Interactions in Development

A key focus of the lab is understanding how the developing brain interacts with the immune system. The fetal brain is highly sensitive to immune signals, and maternal conditions such as infection, inflammation, metabolic disease, or elevated stress hormones can alter developmental trajectories.

One area of research investigates how the cytokine interleukin-17A, which is elevated during maternal immune activation, affects human cortical development. Using three-dimensional fetal brain tissue cultures and organoid models, this work examines how immune signalling influences progenitor proliferation, neuronal organisation, and interactions between microglia and neurons.

Environmental and Genetic Risk and Neurodegeneration

Another area of research focuses on how maternal metabolic and immune conditions influence fetal brain development. Particular attention is given to the choroid plexus, a specialised brain structure that produces cerebrospinal fluid and plays a central role in immune signalling. This work investigates how maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes influence choroid plexus function and how these changes may affect cortical development.

The lab also studies mechanisms of neurodegeneration, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease. Using brain organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells carrying Alzheimer’s-associated mutations, this work investigates how disruptions in cellular processes such as autophagy affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Additional studies examine how different APOE genetic variants influence microglial activity and inflammatory responses, with the aim of identifying cellular interactions that contribute to neurodegenerative disease.

Funding and Grants

 Research Funding as a principal investigator

BBSRC, 01/04/2026- 31 31/03/30, £1,996,192

Title: Deciphering human fetal choroid plexus development: An interdisciplinary approach across cellular, molecular, and functional dimensions

Alzheimer's Research UK 01/10/2025-30/09/2025 £69,964

Title: Impact of Impaired Autophagy in an Alzheimer's Disease Model of Human Hippocampal Organoid

MRC, 01/02/2025- 31/01/2029 £911,098

Titel: Role of IL-17A in maternal inflammation-mediated autism spectrum disorder

Alzheimer's Society, 01/09/2024-31/08/2027, £ 327,723

Title: Understanding APOE-mediated microglial functions in Alzheimer's disease using human brain organoids

BBSRC-EASTBIO DTP, 01/10/2023-31/09/2027, £120,000

Title: Investigation of the molecular mechanisms of intellectual disability using human-brain organoids

Wellcome Trust-ISSF, 01/10/2022-31/03/2023, £23,000

Title: Modelling Autism spectrum disorder using human brain organoids derived from patient induced pluripotent stem cells with a POGZ mutation

BBSRC-EASTBIO DTP, 01/10/2021-31/09/2025, £120,000

Title: Investigation of the molecular mechanisms of intellectual disability using human-brain organoids

The Humane Research Trust, Les Rhoades Studentship, 1/10/2022- 31/09/2025, £120,000

Title: The cellular and molecular basis of neurodevelopmental disorders

The Academy of Medical Science, Springboard, 1/03/2022-28/02/2024, £100,000 

Title: Investigation of the epitranscriptomic mechanisms of microcephaly using human brain organoids

Development Trust SCIO for Dementia Research 1/10/2022-1/09/2022, £26,000

Modelling Alzheimer’s disease using human-mouse brain chimera generated by human brain organoid transplantation

Carnegie Trust, Post Graduate studentship 01/05/2021-31/07/2021, £2,660       

Identifying the best timepoints for transcriptomic analysis in 3-dimensional brain organoids comparing mouse and human brains

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, 01/01/2015-12/31/16, $70,000

Title: To investigate the interaction between local circuity and genetic risk factors in regulating synaptic integration.

Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, TEDCO, 01/07/2012-31/06/2014, $116,000

Title: Identify the molecular mechanisms underlying schizophrenia using human induced pluripotent cells derived from patients with a defined DISC1 mutation.

Research Funding as a co-investigator 

BBSRC, 01/01/2026, £922,395

Title: Advancing Bioscience Research in Northeast Scotland With A High-Content And High-Throughput Imaging Platform

BBSRC-EASTBIO DTP, 01/10/2024-31/09/2028, £120,000

Title: Using human 3D-brain cultures to study the impact of maternal inflammation on the development of cortical inhibitory neurons.

Alzheimer's Research UK Pilot Grant, 01/01/2024-31/06/2025, £3,000

Title: Developing and proving the utility of field-cycling MRI and 3T MRI to assess new features of brain pathology

NHS Grampian Endowment Research Grant, 1/02/2022-31/3/2023, £11,300

Title: Investigation of the role of myopia susceptibility genes in early eye development

Non-course Teaching Responsibilities

Postgraduate Courses:

• Advanced Genomic Tools in Biomedical Research (MB5528)
• Evaluating and Communicating Research (MB5529)

Undergraduate Courses:

• Brain Function and Malfunction (AN4002)
• Evolution and Development (DB4002)
• Developmental Neuroscience (AN4301)
• Research Skills for Medical Sciences (SM2501)
• Biomedical Research Horizons (BM4011)
• Honours Genetics (GN4310)
• Year 1 MBChB Student Selected Component