Detailed Examination of Fate, Morphogenesis and Regulation in the Anterior Neural Plate and Ridge of Xenopus laevis

本研究项目将利用荧光标记技术跟踪非洲爪蟾前神经板和脊细胞的命运。在之前的一项研究中，研究人员发现染料Hoechst和DiI可以成功地用作神经板中小群细胞的自主标记物。有了这些染料，他们就能绘制出神经板的详细命运图。该命运图的三个方面将在计划的研究中得到详细的关注：1)将绘制与最前板和脊相关的细胞运动；2)垂体前叶的起源将被澄清；3)详细检查前神经板和前脊的调节能力。

This researcch project will use fluorescent tagging techniques to follow the fates of cells in the anterior neural plate and ridge of Xenopus laevis. In a previous study, the investigators found that the dyes Hoechst and DiI could successfully be used as autonomous markers for small groups of cells in the neural plate. With these dyes they were able to construct a detailed fate map of the neural plate. Three aspects of this fate map will receive detailed attention in the planned research: 1) The cellular movements associated with the most anterior plate and ridge will be charted; 2) The ancestry of the anterior pituitary will be clarified; and 3) The regulatory capacities of the anterior neural plate and ridge will receive detailed examination.