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Abstract
Proper function of the central nervous system (CNS) is critical for cognition and quality of life. Congenital malformation or damage to the adolescent and adult central nervous system can disrupt CNS function. Congenital Zika syndrome is a poorly understood condition that can include damage to the CNS during embryonic development. Additionally, damage or degeneration of the nervous system resulting from injury or aging is the subject of investigation for regenerative cell therapies. The main focus of this dissertation is to establish novel models for investigating congenital CNS malformation with the chicken embryo and employ human embryonic stem cell-derived human neural progenitor cells for understanding congenital Zika syndrome and applications in regenerative medicine. In the first study, magnetic resonance imaging facilitated the development of a chicken embryo model of congenital Zika syndrome that faithfully exhibited relevant pathologies and congenital defects in the CNS. The underlying mechanisms of congenital Zika syndrome were then investigated with a complementary in vitro model system of human neural progenitor cells and neurons. Lastly, these two model systems were united in an effort to develop novel methods of stem cell tracking for regenerative medicine. The chicken embryo model and human neural progenitor cells worked with one another to investigate causes of congenital CNS malformation after Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and progress in vivo stem cell tracking methods for regenerative cell-based therapies in the future.