EUEmory University · Genetics
Brain Development and Signaling Unit
Fikri Birey · Atlanta, Georgia
Research Focus
Dr. Fikri Birey’s lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how the brain develops by studying the signals that guide brain cells as they grow and differentiate. Using advanced technologies, the lab creates models of human brain tissue to explore how specific signals are integrated during brain formation. This research aims to reveal insights that could lead to new treatments for diseases related to brain development and function.
brain developmentsignaling pathwayshuman organoidsCRISPRspatial transcriptomicscell differentiationfetal brainneurodevelopmental disorders
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigation of the signaling dynamics in human brain organoids to understand cell differentiation.
AIM 02Development of DNA memory devices to trace the history of signaling in single cells.
AIM 03Analysis of mechanotransduction effects on brain organoid regional specification.
Skills the Lab Values
3D printingcell cultureCRISPRspatial transcriptomicsoptical imagingbiomechanicsbioinformaticsgenome editingmolecular cloning
Output against the department
Publications40bottom 7% of dept.240th of 259
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.4kbottom 22% of dept.201st of 259
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.