Molecular mechanisms

Our working hypothesis, based on preliminary observations, is that the cytoskeleton and vesicular transport play major roles in determining the systematic narrowing of dendrites. To test our hypotheses, we will generate trans-genetic fly lines, develop new super-resolution techniques (in combination with machine learning) to visualize cytoskeletal organizations in vivo, characterize actin-microtubule cross talk, and track organelle movements in dendritic arborization (da) neurons. 

The understanding of molecular basis of neurons will bridge the knowledge gap between genotype and phenotype, and, more importantly, bring insight to the diagnosis and possible treatment of neuronal diseases caused by neuron structure alternations.