RIG: Role of Cdx transcription factors in the control of neural plate competence to FGF pattering signals

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。神经祖细胞在发育过程中会遇到许多线索，但会从数百种可能的命运中获得独特的命运。PI感兴趣的是了解神经祖细胞如何选择在其发育过程中做出反应的线索。例如，他以前的工作表明，细胞成为大脑或脊髓的决定是由Caudal/Cdx基因控制的。 本项目研究成纤维细胞生长因子（FGF）信号转导在调节细胞凋亡过程中尾/Cdx活性的作用。s的决定。他将通过改变斑马鱼发育过程中不同时间和地点的Caudal/Cdx和FGF基因表达来解决这个问题。他希望揭示FGF信号促进脑和脊髓祖细胞增殖和分化的条件，以及这些过程被阻止发生的条件。这些研究应该提供新的见解的机制，管理细胞的能力，以应对环境因素在发展和成年生活的有机体。特别是，这项研究应该在免疫学，神经生物学，发育和癌症生物学领域具有广泛的知识影响。该研究计划还旨在促进基于调查的研究和沟通技能，并在研究生和本科生，特别是那些代表性不足的少数民族中推进知识。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).A neural progenitor cell encounters numerous cues during its development, but acquires a distinct fate from hundreds of possible fates. The PI is interested in understanding how neural progenitor cells choose the cues to respond to during their development. For example, his previous work demonstrated that a cell's decision to become brain or spinal cord was controlled by Caudal/Cdx genes. This project examines the role the Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) signaling in regulating Caudal/Cdx activity during the cell?s decision. He will address this issue by altering Caudal/Cdx and FGF gene expression at different times and places during zebra fish development. He expects to uncover the conditions where FGF signaling promotes proliferation and differentiation of brain and spinal cord progenitor cells and where these processes are prevented from occurring. These studies should provide new insights into the mechanisms governing the ability of cells to respond to environmental factors during the development and adult life of an organism. In particular, this research should have broad intellectual implications in the fields of immunology, neurobiology, developmental and cancer biology. This research program is also designed to foster inquiry-based research and communication skills and advance knowledge among graduate and undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented minorities.