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Research

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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
     

<index name="tube" title="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:

copp

nick

Research Team:
  • Dr Sandra Castro - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Dr Sarah Escuin - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Dr Kit-Yi Leung - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Dr Ana Rolo - Post Doctoral Research Fellow
  • TBC - Post Doctoral Research Fellow
  • Ms Victoria Morrison - Research Associate
  • Ms Suganthi Suren - Research Associate
  • Dr Dianne Gerrelli - Manager of London HDBR
  • Ms Dawn Savery - Experimental Officer
  • Ms Tori Shepherd - Ponti Trial Coordinator
  • Mr Young-June Cho - PhD Student
  • Ms Katrin Danielsen - PhD Student
  • Ms Dina Lad - PhD Student
  • Mr Matteo Molé - PhD Student
  • Ms Julie Cooper - PhD Student
  • Ms Yun Jin Pai - PhD Student
  • Ms Alix Palmer - PhD Student
  • Dr Sonia Sudiwala - CHRAT PhD Student

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<index name="stoker" title="Neurogenesis & Neural Cancer Group"/>

The group is focussed on understanding neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation and neurotrophin signalling in both normal and cancer cell settings. Our emphasis is on understanding phosphotyrosine-based cell signalling and in particular the function of protein tyrosine phosphatases. We are developing strategies for suppressing proliferation and inducing differentiation in neural cancer cells, specifically those derived from neuroblastomas. Dr Stoker has been the co-ordinator of two European-wide, Marie Curie Research Training Networks and is currently the Institute's Graduate Tutor.

Group Leader:

stoker

Research Team:
  • Mr Yahya Anderson  - MRes student
  • 2 Postdoctoral Research Fellows - to be appointed 2012

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<index name="phil" title="Neurogenesis & Neural Cancer 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:

phil

Research Team:
  • Dr Leila Rees - Clinical PhD student
  • Dr Núria Setó-Salvia - Research Associate

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<index name="alan" title="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:

burns

nikhil

Research Team:
  • Ms Shanas Choudhury - Research Assistant
  • Dr Julie Cooper - Research Assistant
  • Dr Jean Marie Delalande - Research Associate
  • Dr Gloria Dominguez Ortega - Honorary Research Assistant
  • Dr Conor McCann - Research Associate
  • Dr Dipa Natarajan - Research Associate

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<index name="jp" title="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:

jp6

Research Team:
  • Dr Carles Gaston-Massuet - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Dr Cynthia Andoniadou - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Mr Massimo Signore - Research Assistant
  • Paul Le Tissier - Visiting scientist
  • Neda Mousavey Gharaby - Honorary Research Assistant
  • Gabriela Carreno - PhD student
  • Mario Jose Gonzales Meljem - PhD student
  • Sara Pozzi - PhD student

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<index name="tom" title="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:

yom

Research Team:
  • Dr Sherry Yasin - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Dr Simon Paine - Academic Clinical Lecturer

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<index name="erwin" />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:

erwin

Research Team:
  • Ms Emma Peskett - Research Assistant
  • Mr Samin Kumar- PhD Student

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Page last modified on 05 sep 12 13:35