Characterization of the early assembly of motor circuits in the embryonic chick

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Our lab is studying the embryonic development of neurons connecting to muscles, or motor neurons. These neurons connect to muscles such as the biceps or triceps through a process called "the axon" which in principle is similar to an electrical wire. So far much of the accumulated experimental results indicate that as the axon grows towards its destination, various substances along its path steer its progression. In addition, results from recent experiments indicate that the electrical impulses traveling along these neurons (their activity) also participate in their development. The goal of the research program in this proposal is to understand how this activity influences the development of the neuron and its axon. We intend to do this by recording the activity of the different motor neurons types and then try to understand how such electrical impulses might help to connect the neuron to the appropriate target muscle. One of the experiments we would like to carry out is to look whether motor neurons will develop normally if their electrical activity is changed.