I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that control the generation of different neuronal types along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis of the spinal cord, using motor neurons as a model system. Spinal motor neurons in the ventral spinal cord extend axons to innervate peripheral muscle targets originating at equivalent A-P levels during embryonic development. I am studying the functions of the Hox-c cluster genes in order to understand how different motor neurons are generated along the A-P axis and how motor neuron identity affects axonal path finding and target selection. Different Hox-c cluster genes are expressed in distinct but overlapping domains along the A-P axis of the spinal cord. Using chick neural explants in an in vitro culture system, I have demonstrated that both paraxial mesoderm and tissues around Hensen’s node initiate the patterned expression of different Hox-c genes in the spinal cord. The secreted molecules from these tissues that induce this patterning event include Fgf8, Gdf11, and retinoic acid. Currently, I am trying to identify genes acting down-stream of these signaling molecules that are required for patterned Hox-c gene expression. I am also addressing the functions of Hox-c genes in defining motor neuron identity and target selection by mis-expressing or removing Hox-c gene function specifically in the spinal motor neurons using transgenic approaches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1734174,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"otheraff":[2395],"phd-degree":[],"primary":[2349],"research-discipline":[2502],"research-opportunity":[2553],"training-grant":[],"class_list":["post-1730861","faculty-listing","type-faculty-listing","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","otheraff-cancer-cell-signaling-program","primary-neuroscience","research-discipline-neuroscience","research-opportunity-ro-neuroscience"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n