Simone Mayer

Simone Mayer is a Professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) within the Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems – Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), where she conducts neurobiological research on human brain development using brain organoid models.

Her research focuses on:

• Modeling early brain development stages during pregnancy through stem cell-derived organoids
• Investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms of pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) and other developmental disorders
• Developing organoid-based alternatives to animal testing in neuroscience
• Collaborating with materials scientists to enhance organoid culture techniques
• Translating basic research into clinical prevention and treatment strategies for rare genetic diseases

Mayer's innovative approach leverages the unique properties of brain organoids to overcome limitations of animal models, particularly for human-specific developmental questions. Her work bridges molecular biology, engineering, and clinical applications to address critical gaps in understanding brain disorders and developing targeted interventions.