The Role of Lipoproteins and Lipoprotein Receptors in Transmitting the Effects of Childhood Trauma to the Brain and Germline – ROLLS.ACE

The main goal of our study is to investigate whether lipids are involved in the mechanism of transmitting the effects of trauma to brain and germline cells. We will assess whether lipid-associated non-coding RNAs differ between individuals who have experienced trauma and those in a control group.

Using samples from research participants of different ages, we will determine whether trauma-induced changes in childhood persist into adulthood.

The project will employ organoids—three-dimensional cellular models that can simulate, in a simplified manner, the development of the brain and germline cells. We will examine whether stimulation of organoids with lipids derived from the blood of individuals who have experienced trauma leads to observable changes in their development.

Finally, we will test our hypothesis by blocking the uptake of the studied lipids by the cells forming these models, thereby verifying the role of lipids and their receptors in mediating the transmission of trauma-related effects.