RUI: Elucidating roles for Slitrks in the developing zebrafish central nervous system

大脑的发育是一个复杂的过程，其中神经元迁移和延伸到很远的距离，以形成功能和精确的神经回路。 虽然已经确定了许多塑造神经元形状并引导其迁移轨迹的重要分子线索，但新的分子线索仍在继续被发现和表征。 这项由戴维森学院的Barbara Lom和Jennifer Round博士进行的调查的目的是描述Slitrks的功能作用，Slitrks是神经系统发育中的一种新的指导分子家族。 Slitrk蛋白在小鼠和人类的大脑中含量丰富;先前的研究表明，Slitrks可以影响神经元的形状和轨迹，但需要进一步的研究来了解Slitrks在大脑发育中的作用。 Lom和Round博士将利用斑马鱼，这是一种合适且具有成本效益的动物模型，用于了解所有脊椎动物的神经系统形成。 使用分子方法，他们将确定Slitrks在斑马鱼大脑中表达的位置和时间。 他们还将通过使用反向遗传方法降低Slitrk蛋白水平，并检查由此产生的大脑布线缺陷。 这些实验将使Lom和Round博士能够发现并发表有关Slitrks在脊椎动物大脑发育中功能的重要和新颖信息。 此外，这项研究将在戴维森学院进行，这是一所专门从事本科教育的文理学院。 因此，Lom博士和Round博士将扩展我们对大脑发育的基本知识，同时让年轻学生参与科学研究过程。 这项研究将深入了解神经系统发育的分子基础，并为下一代科学家提供有价值的培训。

The development of the brain is a complex process in which neurons migrate and extend over great distances in order to form functional and precise neural circuits. While many important molecular cues that sculpt the shape of neurons and guide their migratory trajectories have been identified, new molecular cues continue to be discovered and characterized. The purpose of this investigation, conducted by Drs. Barbara Lom and Jennifer Round of Davidson College, is to characterize the functional roles of the Slitrks, a novel family of guidance molecules in the developing nervous system. Slitrk proteins are abundant in the brains of mice and humans; previous studies show that Slitrks can influence neuron shape and trajectory, but further research is needed to understand the role of Slitrks in brain development. Drs. Lom and Round will utilize zebrafish, an appropriate and cost effective animal model for understanding nervous system formation in all vertebrates. Using molecular approaches, they will determine where and when Slitrks are expressed in the zebrafish brain. They will also reduce Slitrk protein levels by using reverse genetic approaches and examine the resulting defects in brain wiring. These experiments will allow Drs. Lom and Round to discover and publish important and novel information on the function of Slitrks in vertebrate brain development. Moreover, the study will be performed at Davidson College, a liberal arts college focused exclusively on undergraduate education. Thus, Drs. Lom and Round will expand our basic knowledge of brain development while simultaneously engaging young students in the scientific research process. This research will provide insight into the molecular basis of nervous system development and provide valuable training for the next generation of scientists.