Developmental Neuroscience includes the study of the proliferation and differentiation of neurons and the organization of those cells into an integrated functioning nervous system. This includes the study of how major anatomical subdivisions of the nervous system are generated from an unspecified neuroepithelium. For example, by knocking out the hoxa-1 gene in mice it was found that a segment of the hindbrain is absent in the mutant animals. Once the cells of the nervous system have been generated they must choose s fate. Researchers at Utah have discovered that some of the molecules which function in the differentiation of the vertebrate retina can function interchangeably with their Drosophila homologs which determine the fate of cells in the rather different compound eye of insects. Once cell fate has been determined, the nervous system wires itself by sending axons to their target neurons. Research teams at Utah are identifying the key molecules in axonal guidance required by pioneer axons as well as the molecules permitting growth cones to follow nerve fascicles. Finally, a nervous system must select appropriate synapses and eliminate inappropriate connections in order to become a fully functional circuit. Such mechanisms are clearly illustrated in studies of how activity-dependent mechanisms reinforce the proper connectivity in the auditory and visual system.
Faculty doing developmental research and their departmental affiliation are:
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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
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A-C |
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Michael Bastiani |
Biology |
Development of neuronal connections |
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Mario R. Capecchi |
Biology and Human Genetics |
Gene manipulation in mammalian and other eukaryotic cells |
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Chi-Bin Chien |
Neurobiology & Anatomy |
Axonal pathfinding in zebrafish mutants |
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Maureen L. Condic |
Neurobiology & Anatomy |
Interactions of sensory neurons with extracellular matrix |
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D-J |
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Richard Dorsky |
Neurobiology & Anatomy |
Signaling pathways in zebrafish neural cell fate determination |
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Sabine Fuhrmann |
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences |
Regulation of eye development |
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David J. Grunwald |
Human Genetics |
Tissue specification during zebrafish embryogenesis |
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K-P |
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Janet E. Lainhart |
Psychiatry |
Neurobiology of autism |
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Edward Levine |
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences |
Development and regeneration in the mammalian central nervous system |
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Suzanne Mansour |
Human Genetics |
FGF signaling and ear development |
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Shannon J. Odelberg |
Internal Medicine |
Molecular basis of regeneration and cellular plasticity |
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Tatjana Piotrowski |
Neurobiology & Anatomy |
Sensory organ formation in zebrafish |
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Q-Z |
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Yukio Saijoh |
Neurobiology & Anatomy |
Pattern formation of vertebrates |
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Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado |
Neurobiology & Anatomy |
Molecular basis of metazoan regeneration |
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Kimberly D. Statler |
Pharmacology & Toxicology |
Clinical and translational research in traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic epilepsy, and both pathophysiology and management aspects of pediatric neurointensive care |
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Monica Vetter |
Neurobiology & Anatomy |
Retinal neurogenesis |
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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
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University of Utah