Using human stem cells to discover how our genes & environment impact the developing brain

The Wells Lab specializes in a technique known as a cell village—Cells from many different people are cultured together in a dish and then analyzed to determine how natural human genetic variation impacts molecules and phenotypes.

Our unique approach could illuminate the dynamic mechanisms underlying brain conditions like autism, identify genetic risk factors for viral infections, and improve the efficiency of drug discovery pipelines.

Tech Dev

We create novel tools to build, manipulate, and analyze cell villages and accelerate breakthroughs

Nature

We investigate how our genetics influence brain development and risk for autism and schizophrenia

Nurture

We study how pollutants and viruses harm the brain and why some people are more at risk than others

Medicine

We want to make treatments safer by identifying the biomarkers of risk for adverse drug reactions

We are funded by the National Institutes of Health, Simons Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Our discoveries would not be possible without their support, and the generosity of the thousands worldwide who donate their cells for biomedical research.