Developmental Neurobiology

我的研究计划旨在了解神经细胞（神经元）如何与相邻细胞进行通信，以形成功能性神经网络。神经元通过称为突触的专门接口与它们的靶细胞通信。神经元之间的错误沟通会导致各种神经系统疾病，这些疾病对受影响的人及其家人不利。为此，我使用遗传模式生物秀丽隐杆线虫的神经元来阐明神经元在何处以及如何形成突触的遗传和分子机制。我们的发现将有助于其他研究人员测试类似的机制是否存在于具有更复杂神经系统的动物模型中，如小鼠。

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.