Amir Kol is a Professor in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine whose research integrates stem cell biology, comparative medicine, and the development of new models of neurological disease. His laboratory has developed canine brain organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells, creating a platform for studying brain development, neural network function, and disease mechanisms. These organoids develop excitatory and inhibitory neurons and robust electrical activity within approximately two months, offering opportunities to investigate how genetic variation and therapeutic compounds influence neuronal maturation and function.
As a member of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, Dr. Kol is interested in using canine brain organoids to explore how psychedelics and related compounds affect neural plasticity, synaptic organization, and network activity. He seeks interdisciplinary collaborations that combine organoid models with molecular profiling and electrophysiology to uncover mechanisms of action and evaluate candidate neurotherapeutics. His broader goal is to connect discoveries in stem cell models with naturally occurring neurological diseases in dogs, advancing therapies that benefit both animal and human brain health.