Live cell imaging equipment for developmental and cellular biology

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Embryonic development represents the first steps of new life while DNA recombination during germ cell production defines the shape of this new life. The laboratories of Moss and Masson are working to understand not only how a single cell, the egg, reorganizes into the complex structure of the adult animal, but also how genes are correctly maintained and shared during the first steps of reproduction. Each cell of the embryo must understand exactly what the others are doing and this is achieved by signaling molecules that pass between them. The Moss laboratory is trying to understand exactly how these signaling molecules are received and how they change the movement of cells within the embryo. Errors in the reception of these signals lead to important malformations, often affecting closing of the neural tube (open back). Such malformations known as Spina bifida and Anencephaly are among the most common birth defects in humans, accounting for 1 birth in a 1000.Eggs and sperm are produced from diploid parental cells by the process of meiosis. During meiosis, genetic variation is introduced by meiotic recombination where chromosomes from each parent recombine producing to gametes with similar but different genetic signatures. Defects in meiotic recombination can cause cells to have the wrong number of chromosomes  (aneuploidy), resulting in abnormal or inviable progeny. The primary objective of Dr Masson's research is to understand how DNA recombination affects meiosis and leads to aneuploidy. This is of particular importance since one-third of all miscarriage are aneuploid and aneuploidy is the leading genetic cause of developmental disabilities and mental retardation.The present application is to provide the microscope equipment necessary to continue this important work.