The role of BMP/Smad signalling in motor neuron connectivity

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Humans have billions of neurons that are all interconnected via axons and synapses. These provide neurons with the ability to communicate information over long distances. Wiring patterns are essential for body functions, movement, coordination cognition, learning and memory. How neurons grow their axons over great distances to reach and connect to other axons from different neurons or to muscles is not well understood. Axon elongation is one of the essential properties in neuronal connectivity and it is believed that in the adult it provides neurons with the ability to remodel their connections. This plasticity of neuronal connections underlies experience, learning and memory. Furthermore, neurons need to maintain some capacity to elongate their axons and regenerate their axonal projections to repair possible damage during life. Little is known about factors that regulate axon elongation particularly that of motor neurons, which possess the longest axons in the body i.e. from the spinal column to the end of the fingertips and toes. Understanding how our nervous system is wired will give us insights into how it develops and functions. Once we master this we can manipulate various aspects of connectivity to correct defects and disabilities or repair damaged neurons and cure neurodegenerative disease. In this research we aim to examine the role of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein factors in motor neuron connectivity in mouse models and provide basic information that would be beneficial for Motor Neuron disease and for peripheral axon regeneration.