Research

We study how the central nervous system develops using two vertebrate models, Xenopus tropicalis (frog) and mouse.

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RESEARCH PROJECTS

1. Morphogenesis of the central nervous system

(1) Molecular mechanisms of morphogenetic movement of the neuroepithelium

(2) Coordinate gene expression during cerebral cortical histogenesis

(Visualization of collective migration of the neuroepithelium in vivo)

2. Wiring of the central nervous system

(1) Molecular mechanisms of axon branching and pruning

(2) Molecular mechainsms of axon survival

(Retinal axons growing in culture)

3. Localized gene expression in neuronal axons

(1) Transcript-specific mRNA transport and translation in axons

(2) Proteome dynamics in axons

(From Jung et al., 2014)

[note] The distal axon is remote from its cell body, where the genetic information (i.e. chromosomal DNA) is stored. To cope with changing environments, however, it must regulate gene expression. The distal axon achieves this without the DNA, by regulating gene expression solely by controlling translation of locally stored mRNAs. We think that this process might play key roles in wiring (during development) and maintenance (in adulthood) of the nervous system.

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RESEARCH APPROACHES

Mouse genetics

Xenopus embryology

Molecular biology/Biochemistry/Imaging