Overview
Speaker(s): Karun K. Singh
Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Language: English
Format: Online, via Zoom
Target Audience: CanNRT Members
About
Autism is estimated to affect 1 in 44 children and youth in Canada (2023–2024), yet much remains unknown about the biological mechanisms that contribute to its diverse presentations. This talk will explore how patient-derived 3D brain organoids can be used to model human neurodevelopment and study cellular and molecular differences associated with autism. By bringing together stem cell biology and neuroscience, this research aims to deepen our understanding of autism and inform future approaches to diagnosis and support.
Speaker
Dr. Karun Singh is a Senior Scientist in the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute and Krembil Brain Institute, located at University Health Network (UHN). He is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (LMP) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. His lab utilizes patient-derived neural 3D organoid/assembloid models, in combination with multi-omic approaches, to study neurodevelopmental and adult neurological and vision disorders. The long-term goal is to utilize these platforms to study disease etiology, and develop regenerative medicine approaches such as genetic therapies.