Alexandre Bonnin

Alexandre Bonnin, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on how maternal-fetal interactions influence fetal brain development and contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Key projects investigate prenatal stress and maternal immune activation (MIA), particularly their long-term effects on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, neuroinflammation, and serotonin/kynurenine signaling.

• Academic Rank: Associate Professor
• Institution: University of Southern California
• Department: Pathology

His lab has pioneered ex vivo placental perfusion techniques to dissect maternally vs. placentally-derived molecular influences on brain development. Collaborations include Drs. Karsenty (Columbia University), Schwarcz (University of Maryland), and Bale (University of Colorado). His work links prenatal inflammation to Alzheimer’s disease risk via BBB dysfunction and chronic neuroinflammation.

Recent publications explore SARS-CoV-2 effects on BBB development, cyclooxygenase-2 in placental vascular integrity, and neuroplacentology advances. He received the 2011 NARSAD Daniel X. Freedman Award for basic research. His work provides critical insights into developmental origins of mental disorders, emphasizing immune and vascular pathways.

Lab & Collaborations: His lab develops genetic and pharmacological models to study BBB and placental barrier dynamics. Key studies involve serotonin transporters (SERT), osteocalcin signaling, and kynurenine pathway metabolites.