Sakurako Nagumo Wong joined the Vienna BioCenter PhD Program in 2019 working under the supervision of Jürgen Knoblich. Her research journey furthered the Knoblich lab’s work with cerebral organoids. Through her work, Nagumo Wong uncovered previously unknown aspects of cortical development – important discoveries that earned her the Rabitsch Award 2025. The award ceremony took place in the presence of Hermann Rabitsch, the father of Kirsten Rabitsch, after whom the award is named. 

Studying neuronal connections and neurodevelopmental disorders 

Nagumo Wong’s research leveraged cerebral organoids developed in the Knoblich lab to study the development of the human cortex, the most complex part of the brain. One unique feature of the human brain is that a group of cells called interneurons migrate into the cortex after birth, differently to what happens in other mammals. Nagumo Wong and colleagues replicated this process in cerebral organoids and showed that the interaction between interneurons and astrocytes, a type of immune cells in the brain, was key to interneuron migration. The researchers showed that alterations in this interaction and in interneuron migration could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. 

Nagumo Wong and colleagues also used cerebral organoids to model the aberrant neuronal activity causing epilepsy. The team derived organoids from patients with a rare genetic disorder called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and showed that these organoids form dysfunctional neuronal networks that cause aberrant electrical signalling in the brain. The researchers also showed that targeted treatment can restore normal electrical signalling in these organoids, a promising approach for understanding the underlying mechanisms leading to epilepsy and developing new therapies. 

Nagumo Wong’s findings highlight the potential of organoids to reveal unique features of human brain development and disease, and to inform new therapeutic approaches to treat neurodevelopmental disorders. 

In coming years, Sakurako Nagumo Wong will continue her academic journey with a postdoc position to explore new lines of research in neuroscience. 

“Seeing previous PhD students receive the Kirsten Peter Rabitsch Award has always been deeply inspiring, as it represents both scientific excellence and dedication,” Nagumo Wong commented. “I feel humbled and honoured that my PhD work—on two projects I am greatly invested in and excited by—has also been recognised in this way.”