Neural development

我建议继续进行一项研究计划，其长期目标是确定胚胎神经系统模式的潜在分子机制。本文概述了一系列的研究，在这些研究中，我将检验关于神经胚胎起源的假设，以及Eph受体和ephrin信号传导引导神经祖细胞迁移的机制。这些研究将在海胆胚胎中进行，这是神经发生研究的一个模型。我对海胆基因组的测序和注释的参与，基因表达操作的经验，以及对海胆胚胎神经发育的长期兴趣使这个项目独一无二。我建议支持一个项目，培养学生学习现代发育生物学，在这个项目中，细胞信号分子的精确作用可以被确定。这些研究将有助于解决细胞信号在动物发育中的作用这一基本问题。海胆在分子上与脊椎动物有密切的亲缘关系，但它们的身体结构却截然不同。初步研究揭示了与脊椎动物共有的特征，为我们理解神经进化提供了机会。这是一个已建立的高质量研究项目，已被证明是一个激励研究培训的环境。该研究项目将建立海胆胚胎作为神经发育的独特模型，并有可能为Eph/ephrin信号的功能和神经发育的进化提供新的视角和见解。

I propose continuation of a research program in which the long term objective is to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms that pattern embryonic nervous systems. A series of studies are outlined in which I will test hypotheses on the embryonic origin of nerves, and the mechanisms by which Eph receptor and ephrin signaling guide migration of neural progenitor cells. These studies are to be carried out in sea urchin embryos - a model for studies in neurogenesis. My involvement with the sequencing and annotation of the sea urchin genome, experience with manipulation of gene expression, and a longstanding interest in neural development in urchin embryos makes this program unique. I propose support for a program to train students in modern developmental biology in which the precise roles of cell signalling molecules can be determined. These studies will contribute to fundamental questions of the role of cellular signaling in animal development. Sea urchins show close molecular kinship with vertebrates, yet they have a remarkably different body plan. Preliminary studies have revealed features that are shared with vertebrates providing an opportunity to contribute to our understanding of neural evolution. This is an established program of high-quality research that has been demonstrated to be a stimulating environment for research training. This research program will establish sea urchin embryos as a unique model for neural development with the potential to give new perspectives and insights to the function of Eph/ephrin signaling and evolution of neural development.