Integration of cellular, molecular and mathematical investigation of the evolution of early telencephalon organisation

Corinne Houart (primary)
Centre for Developmental Neurobiology
King's College London
Zena Hadjivasiliou (secondary)
Physics
UCL

Abstract

Forebrain evolution led to the emergence of a rich variety of behaviours and abilities across animal species and has permitted the establishment of elaborate cognitive functions. One key developmental step in shaping the forebrain is the partition of the telencephalon into ventral (basal ganglia) and dorsal (cortex and hippocampus) compartments. This organisation is driven by “opposing” signalling centres. The studentship aims to understand how timing of signalling events and the interpretation of these vary from fish to human, driving species-specific regionalisation of the telencephalon. The student will use animal, 3D cell culture, novel biomaterials and mathematical models to achieve this goal.


References

Bielen H, Pal S, Tole S, Houart C. Temporal variations in early developmental decisions: an engine of forebrain evolution. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2017 Feb;42:152-159.
Sylvester JB, Rich CA, Yi C, Peres JN, Houart C*, Streelman JT*. Competing signals drive telencephalon diversity. Nat Commun. 2013;4:1745. doi: 10.1038/ncomms2753.
Danesin C, Peres JN, Johansson M, Snowden V, Cording A, Papalopulu N, Houart C. Integration of telencephalic Wnt and hedgehog signaling center activities by Foxg1. Dev Cell. 2009 Apr;16(4):576-87.
Hadjivasiliou, Z*, Moore, RE*, McIntosh, R, Galea, GL, Clarke, JD, Alexandre, P. Basal protrusions mediate spatiotemporal patterns of spinal neuron differentiation. Dev Cell. 2019;49(6):907-919.
Hadjivasiliou, Z, Hunter, GL, Baum, B. A new mechanism for spatial pattern formation via lateral and protrusion-mediated lateral signalling. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. J R Soc Interface. 2016;13(124):20160484.


BBSRC Area
Genes, development and STEM* approaches to biology
Area of Biology
EvolutionNeurobiology
Techniques & Approaches
BioinformaticsChemistryEngineeringImage ProcessingMathematics / StatisticsMicroscopy / ElectrophysiologyMolecular BiologySimulation / Modelling