Immunostaining in cortical neurons treated with
KCl for 5 or 24hr,
or treated for 5hr with KCl and cultured for an
additional 19 hr
in the absence of KCl. Images represent three independent
experiments.
Image courtesy of Cell
Gene
Keeps Neural Cells on Correct Developmental Path
Distinguished
Professor Gail Mandel, Neurobiology and Behavior, was a featured Howard
Hughes Medical Institute Investigator on the front page of the HHMI web
site, highlighting a paper published in Cell, with senior co-author Dr.
Nurit Ballas, a Research Associate Professor in Neurobiology and Behavior,
for tracking a set of genes from stem cell to differentiated neuron.
Their research shed new light on how multipotential stem cells turn into
neurons. “A single
protein does it all,” said Mandel. “It keeps the genes
completely off in non-neuronal tissues, such as skin, where you don’t
dare express a neuronal gene. But during neurogenesis the protein alters
the structure of the genomic DNA complex so that neuronal genes can
ultimately be expressed in the right places in the adult nervous system.” The
study helps advance research in neuro-degenerative disorders, spinal
cord injuries, and the nature of stem cells themselves by revealing
mechanisms that may be critical for formation of new neurons. The
story can be accessed here.
And Prof. Mandel's HHMI Bio can be accessed here.