Research
Research in the Neural Development Unit centres upon the embryonic and fetal processes that underlie the development of the nervous system (central and peripheral), and gastrointestinal tract.
Neural Tube Development Group
Neurogenesis & Neural Cancer Group
Midline Defects Group
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Group
Forebrain & Pituitary Development Group
Stem Cell Neuropathology Group
Craniofacial Biology Group
As examples of this research approach, members of The Unit have recently demonstrated:
- Increased Wingless (Wnt) signaling in pituitary progenitor/stem cells gives rise to pituitary tumors in mice and humans (Gaston-Massuet et al. 2011).
- Identification of convergent extension cell movement defects leading to severe neural tube defects and identification of a BMP inhibitory mechanism regulating normal neurulation (Ybot-Gonzalez et al. 2007).
- Tbx22 null mice have a submucous cleft palate due to reduced palatal bone formation and also display ankyloglossia and choanal atresia phenotypes (Pauws E et al. 2009)
- Receptor tyrosine phosphatase PTPgamma is a regulator of spinal cord neurogenesis (Hashemi et al. 2011)
- Over-expression of Grhl2 causes spina bifida in the Axial Defects mutant mouse (Brouns M.R et al. 2011)
- Gene-environment interaction in the causation of neural tube defects: folate deficiency increases susceptibility conferred by loss of Pax3 function (Burren K.A. et al. 2008)
- Overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase RET in sacral neural crest cells increases their enteric nervous system developmental potential (Delalande et al. 2008)
- Identification of an inborn error of folate metabolism in
fetuses with neural tube defects (Dunlevy et al. 2007)
and demonstration that increased expression of Grhl3 can rescue
folate-resistant neural tube defects (Gustavsson et al. 2007)
- Genetic evidence that a correct balance between Otx2 and Gbx2 is required for normal head formation. (Martinez-Barbera et al., 2001).
- Identification of stem cells of the enteric nervous system. (Bondurand et al., 2004)
- The T-box transcription factor TBX22 is required for normal palate development (Braybrook et al., 2001).
- Demonstration that apoptosis, although plentiful during neurulation, is not required fo rcompletion of neural tube closure in mouse embryos (Massa et al., 2009, PNAS 106, 8233)
- Combinations of genetic mutations in the adult neural stem cell compartment determine brain tumour phenotypes (Jacques TS et al. 2010)
- Balloon cells in human cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis: Isolation of a pathological progenitor-like cell (Yasin SA et al. 2010)
- Absence of the vagus nerve in the stomach of Tbx1-/- mutant mice (Calmont, A et al. 2011)
- The intrinsic innervation of the lung is derived from neural crest cells as shown by Optical Projection Tomography in Wnt1-Cre;YFP reporter mice (Freem, L.J. et al. 2010)
The Neural Development Unit also hosts the MRC/Wellcome Trust Human Developmental Biology Resource (HDBR) which provides a service to scientists studying the expression of disease-related genes in early human development. See: www.hdbr.org
Neural Tube Development Group
Interests include molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurulation, development and pathogenesis of neural tube defects (spina bifida and anencephaly), sensory and motor innervation defects in spina bifida, neuroblast migration in the cerebral cortex, development of tracheal and oesophageal birth defects.
Group Leaders:
Professor Andrew Copp-
Professor of Developmental Neurobiology
Dr Nick Greene - Reader in Developmental Neurobiology
Dr Caroline Hirst - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Sarah Escuin - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Kit-Yi Leung - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ms Dawn Savery - Experimental Officer
Ms
Julie Cooper - PhD student
Ms Sophie Pryor - PhD student
Ms Sandra de Castro - Research Assistant/ PhD Student
Mr Darren Partridge-Research Assistant
Ms Dina Lad - PhD student
Ms Saba Raza - PhD student
Ms Alexandra Palmer - PhD student
Mr Young-June Cho- PhD Student
Ms Katie Gardner - Transgenic Research Assistant
Dr Dianne Gerrelli - Manager of HDBR
Ms Victoria Morrison - HDBR Research Assistant
Ms Suganthi Suren - HDBR Research Assistant
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Neurogenesis & Neural Cancer Group
The group is focussed on understanding neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation and neurotrophin signalling in spinal and sensory models, with emphasis on phosphotyrosine-based cell signalling. We are also developing strategies for suppressing proliferation and inducing differentiation in neural cancer cells, including neuroblastoma and glioma. Dr Stoker is the co-ordinator of a European-wide, FP6 Marie Curie Research Training Network named PTPNET.
Group Leader: Dr Andrew Stoker -
Reader in Developmental Neurobiology
Mr
Owen Clark - PhD student
Midline Defects Group
Interests include study of the genetic pathways and underlying molecular events that lead to common birth defects such as cleft palate, neural tube defects and IUGR.
Group Leader: Dr Philip Stanier
– Reader
Group leader's profile page
Publications List
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Group
The aims of the group are to (i) gain a better understanding of the development of the intrinsic nerves (enteric nervous system), muscle and interstitial cells of Cajal, that together control and carry out the coordinated contractions of the gut; (ii) explore the biology and therapeutic potential of enteric nervous system stem cells in order to develop novel therapies for gut motility disorders such as pseudo-obstruction and aganglionosis (Hisrschsprung's disease)
Group Leaders: Dr Alan Burns -
Senior Lecturer
Group Leader: Dr Nikhil Thapar -
Clinician Scientist
Publications List
Dr Julie Cooper -
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Jean-Marie Delalande -
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Dipa Natarajan -
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ms Shanas Choudhury-Research Assistant
Ms Lucy Freem - PhD student
Ms Rania Kronfli - MSc student
Ms Alison Campbell - MSc Student
Forebrain & Pituitary Development Group
Interests include investigation of the mechanisms leading to the normal formation of forebrain and pituitary gland in mammals, and how mutations in relevant genes lead to human conditions such as hypopituitarism and pituitary tumours. Another line of research focuses on stem cell research.
Group Leader: Dr Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera -
Wellcome Trust University Award Fellow & Reader in Neurobiology
Group leader's profile page
Publications List
Dr Cynthia Andoniadou-Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Carles Gaston-Massuet- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ms Sujatha Jayakody - PhD Student
Dr Nicoletta Charolidi - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Mr Massimo Signore - Research Assistant
Stem Cell Neuropathology Group
The group focuses on the role of stem cells in the development of childhood diseases of the brain. In particular we have focused on the following diseases: Paediatric Brain Tumours, Paediatric Epilepsy and Perinatal Brain Injury.
A website with further details about stem cell research at ICH can be found here
Group Leader: Dr Tom S Jacques - Clinician scientist and honorary consultant paediatric neuropathologist
Group leader's profile page
Publications List
Dr Sherry Yasin - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Mr Simon Raphael Picker MB/PhD student
Mathew Tata - Research Assistant
Dr. Simon Paine- Academic Clinical Lecturer
Ms Araba Amonco MSc Student
Craniofacial Biology Group
The main theme of this research is to expand the fundamental knowledge on how impaired FGF signalling contributes to craniosynostosis syndromes like Crouzon syndrome. In particular, the impact of mutations in FGF receptors are studied during the development of craniofacial bones. We aim to translate novel findings into relevant, clinical treatment strategies to enhance or replace current approaches for the treatment of Crouzon syndrome.
Group Leader: Dr Erwin Pauws -
Lecturer
Group leader's profile page
Publications List
Ms Emma Peskett - Research Assistant
Mr Samin Kumar- PhD Student
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Page last modified on 14 sep 11 16:19
