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EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
Cell Migration in the Developing Preoptic Area
- Sponsor Organization: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
- Project Title: CELL MIGRATION IN THE DEVELOPING PREOPTIC AREA
- Project Focus: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS
- Description: This project is based on the central theme of understanding the sexual
differentiationof brain structures. The preoptic area and anterior
hypothalamus (POA/AH) comprise aregion in the brain where there are
many sex differences in cell distribution. Experiments will be
conducted to examine how sex-specific subgroups begin toorganize in
the brain. Three basic questions will be addressed. First, studies
will askwhether the cells in the POA/AH utilize cues from the
orientation of glial guidance fibersfor directed movement, and
whether the patterns of migration change duringdevelopment. Second,
studies will ask where cells in the POA/AH come from, testingwhether
some cells migrate to the POA/AH after their birth in zones outside
thePOA/AH. Finally, the investigations will determine whether there
are sex differences incell migration. The experiments will utilize
time-lapse live video microscopy to observecell movement in vitro.
Additionally, cells will be identified based on birthdate or
thepresence of specific proteins. Changes in the position of
identified cells at differentages, relative to the orientation of
glial guidance fibers, will be measured to provide aparallel index of
cell migration. Information leading to discerning how the
exquisitelycomplex preoptic area and hypothalamus develop and function
normally will provide anew depth of understanding for a host of issues
ranging from infertility to behavior.
- References:
- Category: MODELS
- Subcategory: BASIC RESEARCH
- Keywords for Experimental System/Species: RODENT, MAMMAL, IN VIVO, LABORATORY STUDIES
- Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: NEUROLOGICAL, REPRODUCTIVE, SEX STEROIDS, PEPTIDE HORMONES,
PHYSIOLOGY, BREEDINGBEHAVIOR, GROWTH
- Chemical Agents: Sex Steroids
- Performing Institution: Shriver Center for Mental Retardation
- Contact: Stuart A Tobet, Waltham, MA 02154 617 642-0234
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