Alessandra Pierani

Alessandra Pierani is a Professor leading a research team focused on understanding the genetics and development of the cerebral cortex, particularly the role of Cajal-Retzius cells in neural circuit formation. Her work bridges developmental neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and clinical applications, with affiliations at Institut Imagine (Paris) and the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris (IPNP).

Her research investigates how transient neuronal populations influence cortical architecture, with implications for neurological disorders like autism, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Key areas include neuronal migration, synaptic gene regulation, and the evolutionary origins of higher-order cortical functions. Her team employs mouse and primate models to study developmental mechanisms linking early brain formation to later-onset psychiatric conditions.

Recent projects emphasize translational research, collaborating with clinicians and geneticists to develop mouse models for cortical abnormalities and improve diagnosis of neurodevelopmental diseases. The team includes 22 members from 7 nationalities, with associated labs at both institutes.