Bedrosian Lab
The brain is a genetic mosaic. Individual neurons harbor unique genotypes distinct from one another and distinct from the individual’s inherited genetic code. This phenomenon is attributed to mutations that arise in neural progenitors during prenatal development, a time of rapid proliferation that peaks at more than 100,000 cell divisions per minute. The result is a mosaic brain where cells are defined by a signature of single nucleotide variants, copy number variation and retrotransposon insertions. Each somatic variant has the potential to influence the function of its host cell and the wider neuronal network. To some extent, brain mosaicism likely contributes to normal neuronal diversity and complexity. But brain mosaicism has also been linked to disorders ranging from structural brain abnormalities to epilepsy and psychiatric disease.
The Bedrosian Lab is interested in genetic mechanisms that shape the developing brain and contribute to neurodevelopmental disease. Its team uses a translational approach that combines characterization of patient brain specimens with functional modeling in patient-derived cell lines and transgenic mice. The Bedrosian Lab’s work addresses fundamental questions related to how genetic mosaicism affects neurodevelopment during health and disease, such as how somatic mutations arise and populate the brain, how they affect individual cells and the larger network/structure, how a small number of affected cells have a widespread effect and how somatic mutations contribute to complex phenotypes.
Areas of Research
The Bedrosian Lab uses single-cell RNA-sequencing of surgically resected patient brain specimens to identify affected cell lineages in pediatric patients with brain malformations caused by somatic mutations. This analysis allows researchers to reconstruct the developmental history of patients’ somatic variation and to learn how their diseases arose. Identifying patterns in the types of affected cells will eventually help researchers understand what kinds of cells to target with therapeutics.
Some pediatric brain tumors coincide with epilepsy to a high degree. The Bedrosian Lab uses spatial proteomic analysis of patient tumor tissue to study how somatic mutations affect specific cell types in different ways. This research helps identify why some tumors often contain epileptogenic cells.
To study the function of particular somatic variants in brain development, the Bedrosian Lab induce brain mosaicism by genetic manipulation of various model systems, including human cerebral organoids and developing mice in utero. The team uses a fluorescent tag to mark mosaic cells and observes how the somatic mutations disrupt the maturation of those cells. By directly testing the function of somatic variants in brain development, researchers can identify molecular targets for future therapies and test potential treatments.
Nearly half of the human genome is derived from transposable elements (TEs) — mobile genetic elements that replicate and insert copies of themselves throughout the genome. TEs generate brain mosaicism that has been associated with a number of neurological diseases. We use genetic techniques to investigate how TEs contribute to brain development in various contexts.
Meet Our Team
Tracy Bedrosian
Principal Investigator
Tracy Bedrosian, PhD, is a principal investigator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Bedrosian has more than 15 years of experience in neuroscience research with much of the past decade focused on brain mosaicism. She received K01 Career Development funding from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop genomic techniques for studying somatic mosaicism.
Previously, Dr. Bedrosian was an NIH-funded Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) and Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator at the Salk Institute, where she worked with Fred "Rusty" Gage, PhD, to study the role of mobile genetic elements in brain mosaicism and neurodevelopment.
Prior to her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Bedrosian was an Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellow with Randy Nelson, PhD, at The Ohio State University and a student researcher working with Huda Akil, PhD, at the University of Michigan, where she worked with rodent models of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disease.
Jason Navarro
Chief Research Associate
Jason.Navarro@NationwideChildrens.org
Jason Navarro is a chief research associate working on collaborative projects utilizing single-cell RNA-sequencing to understand brain disease. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has over 17 years of research experience, including 5 years managing a core facility at UCLA.
Sahib Sran
Senior Research Associate
Sahib works on a variety of projects to characterize the genetic origins and mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders. He is interested in understanding the contributions of genetic mutations to the development of pediatric brain tumors linked to epilepsy and utilizes both patient data and animal models to carry out these and other investigative aims. Sahib obtained his bachelor’s degree in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut and his master's degree in Physiology from the University of Cincinnati. He hopes to attend medical school in the upcoming years to blend translational research into his role as a physician. Outside of the lab, Sahib enjoys exploring local hiking trails and finding exciting new recipes to cook.
Amanda Ringland
Senior Research Associate
Amanda is a Senior Research associate in the Bedrosian Lab who is interested in genetic mechanisms of epilepsy utilizing rodent models. Amanda received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Neuroscience from Tulane University. She hopes to attend graduate school to earn a PhD.
Jesse Westfall
Bioinformatics Analyst
Jesse has a background in chemical and biomolecular engineering. He earned his master’s degree from Clemson University and his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. Jesse is currently investigating mechanisms of epileptic encephalitis using advanced technologies including digital spatial protein profiling and single-cell sequencing.
June Yoon, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
June.Yoon@NationwideChildrens.org
June Yoon, PhD, is investigating genetic mechanisms of developmental brain malformations and epilepsy. Dr. Yoon earned her doctorate from The Ohio State University in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and her bachelor’s degree from Chung-Ang University.
Rachel Corrigan, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Rachel.Corrigan@NationwideChildrens.org
Rachel Corrigan, PhD, is exploring how structural malformations coupled with brain injury during adolescence plays a role in developing post traumatic epilepsy. She is particularly interested in understanding the underlying metabolism and inflammation mechanisms in each. Dr. Corrigan earned her bachelor's degree from Walsh University and then completed her doctorate in Neuroscience at Kent State University. Outside of the lab, you can find Rachel enjoying the outdoors by biking or playing pickleball, hanging out with her friends, or relaxing by crafting or cooking.
Sydney Townsend
Doctoral Student
Sydney.Townsend@NationwideChildrens.org
Sydney Townsend is a doctoral student in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program at The Ohio State University. Her thesis project focuses on understanding how epilepsy during early-life affects the developing brain leading to a higher risk of behavioral and developmental problems later in life. Sydney earned her Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T University.
Anna Lanier
Undergraduate Research Student
Anna.Lanier@NationwideChildrens.org
Anna works on a variety of projects that characterize genetic mechanisms of neurodevelopment. She is an undergraduate neuroscience student at The Ohio State University and hopes to attend medical school. In her free time, Anna enjoys playing volleyball, visiting coffee shops, and spending time with her friends and family.
James Anderson
Undergraduate Research Student
James.Anderson@NationwideChildrens.org
Jay Anderson is an undergraduate research student majoring in Neuroscience.
Sam Baderscher
Undergraduate Research Student
Sam.Baderscher@NationwideChildrens.org
Sam is an undergraduate research student in the Bedrosian Lab interested in pursuing an honors thesis project exploring the role of BRAFV600E gene mutation in pediatric epilepsy. She is studying Neuroscience at The Ohio State University in hopes of attending medical school one day. In her free time, Sam enjoys reading, cooking, and trying new coffee shops around Columbus.
Ethan Geis
Undergraduate Research Intern
Ethan.Geis@NationwideChildrens.org
Ethan Geis is an undergraduate research intern majoring in Neuroscience.
Research Staff
- Wesley Schwind: Medical Student, The Ohio State University