Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology
225 Sinsheimer Laboratories
Phone: 831.459.4986
Fax: 831.459.3139
Map & Directions

Mammalian Brain Development

The cerebral cortex is the seat of our highest cognitive and perceptual function. It has been estimated that there are hundreds of different neuronal cell types in the cerebral cortex. The proper generation of these different neuronal types and the formation of their approriate connections is essential for the brain function. However not much is known how genes regulate the generation of these different types of neurons and their connectivities. Our research is aimed at identifying different transcription factors and signaling pathways critical for the development of cerebral cortex. Using mouse as our model system, we will achieve our goal using a combination of gene knockouts, mis-expression experiments, neuronal tracings and cell culture experiments.

Selected Publications

Friedel, R.H., Plump, A., Lu, X., Spilker, K., Jolicoeur, C., Wong, K., Venkatesh, T.R., Yaron, A., Hynes, M., Chen, B., Okada, A., McConnell, S.K., Rayburn, H., Tessier-Lavigne, M. Gene targeting using a promoterless gene trap vector ("targeted trapping") is an efficient method to mutate a large fraction of genes. (2005) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Sep13; 102(37): 13188-93.

Chen, B., Schaevitz, L. R., and McConnell, S. K. Fezl regulates the differentiation and axon targeting of layer 5 subcortical projection neurons in cerebral cortex. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102:17184-17189.