Developmental Neurobiology

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My research program aims at understanding how nerve cells (neurons) communicate with their neighboring cells to form a functional neural network. Neurons communicate with their target cells via specialized interface called synapses. Miscommunication between neurons cause various neurological conditions which are detrimental to those affected and their family. Toward this I use neurons of the genetic model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, to elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie where and how neurons form synapses. Our findings will help other researchers to test if similar mechanisms is present in animal models with more complex nervous system such as mouse.