The dynamics of gradient sensing by growth cones: timelapse imaging and mathematical modelling

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Problems in the wiring up of the brain underlie several nervous system disorders. The goal of this project is to understand better how this wiring normally forms. This will ultimately lead to a better understanding of what can go wrong with brain wiring, and how to fix such problems. It will also lead to a better understanding of how to make axons regenerate after injury. Our approach is to use a combination of timelapse imaging of neurons in culture, and mathematical modelling, to understand how the tips of the wires growing between neurons sense their environment. By comparing our experimental measurements with our theoretical results we will arrive at a detailed and accurate model of this sensing process. This will allow us to make predictions about how these developmental events normally occur in vivo, and what can go wrong.