Commissural neurons (c-neurons) in the spinal cord relay somatosensory information from the periphery to higher processing centers in the brain. Their axons project across the ventral midline to the contralateral side of the spinal cord, and therefore play a unique role in ensuring appropriate communication between the right and left sides of the central nervous system. This project aims to create a fate map of commissural neurons to elucidate their location and function in the embryonic spinal cord and their eventual position in adults. To carry out this characterization, we are using Robo3Cre mice in combination with a Cre-dependent reporter line. Robo3 is an axon guidance receptor selectively expressed by all spinal commissural neurons and is required for midline crossing. The Robo3Cre mice provide us with genetic access to commissural neurons and are a novel method for studying commissural neuron development, connectivity, and function.
Schoenewald, Julia, and Tulloch, Alastair,
"Genetic fate mapping of spinal commissural neurons"
(2016).
Summer Research Symposium.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://doi.org/10.26300/azy8-3606
Each year, Brown University showcases the research of its undergraduates at the Summer Research Symposium. More than half of the student-researchers are UTRA recipients, while others receive funding from a variety of Brown-administered and national programs and fellowships and go …
