Down syndrome affects approximately 1 in every 700 infants, and is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Dr. Kristy Welshhans just received a one year, $73,659 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to conduct research on the molecular and cellular basis of altered neural development in Down syndrome. Using human induced pluripotent stem cells, Kristy's project will investigate how the expression of a gene, DSCAM (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecules), is dysregulated in Down syndrome. It will further determine the molecular mechanisms through which increased expression of DSCAM in Down syndrome may lead to altered formation of nervous system connectivity. Overall, this proposal defines key molecules and signaling pathways contributing to Down syndrome, and increases our understanding of the neural pathophysiology of Down syndrome. Congrats!