Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker - short animation

Student - Zhaojia Wang

Supervisor - Sandrine Thuret

Thuret's research focuses on using adult hippocampal neurogenesis as a biomarker to help clinicians predict specific types of antidepressant responses. By doing so, this research aims to reduce the trial-and-error process often experienced by patients seeking effective treatment for depression. In Dr. Thuret’s lab, researchers have developed an innovative dish-based assay, where a single drop of a patient’s blood is exposed to hippocampal stem cells. This method allows scientists to assess the health of these cells and measure the production of new neurons, offering valuable insight into neurogenesis and its potential as a predictive biomarker. 

To make this complex scientific concept accessible, the research has been transformed into an engaging and informative animation. The animation, which lasts approximately one minute and thirty seconds, is primarily targeted at young adults. It simplifies abstract ideas and translates intricate experiments into an easy-to-understand visual format.