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Studies in the lab are aimed at
defining the molecular mechanisms that control the early development of
the vertebrate nervous system. Our work focuses on two primary issues.
1. What are the strategies and molecules used to specify the identity of
the multiple and functionally diverse cell types generated in the
embryonic central nervous system? 2. How do individual subclasses of neurons project their axons along specific pathways and form selective connections with target cells? Both issues are being addressed in the context of the developing spinal cord, the simplest and best understood subdivision of the central nervous system. Our recent studies have used mouse molecular genetics and cell biology to identify secreted signaling molecules and transcription factors that control the fate of neural cells and proteins that act as environmental ligands and cell surface receptors used in the guidance of axons.Selected Publications
Tsuchida, T., Ensini, M., Morton, S.B., Baldassare, M., Edlund, T., Jessell, T.M. and Plaff, S.L. (1994) Topographic organization of embryonic motor neurons defined by expression of LIM homeobox genes. Cell 79, 957-70.
Liem, K. F., Jr., Tremml, G., Roelink, H. and Jessell, T.M. (1995) Dorsal differentiation of neural plate cells induced by BMP-mediated signals from epidermal ectoderm. Cell 82, 969-979.
Plaff, S.L., Mendelsohn, M., Stewart, C.L., Edlund, T. and Jessell, T.M. (1996) Requirement for LIM homeobox gene Is11 in motor neuron generation reveals a motor neuron-dependent step in interneuron differentiation. Cell 84, 1-20.
Ericson, J., Morton, S., Kawakami, A., Roelink, H. and Jessell, T.M. (1996) Two critical periods of sonic hedgehog signaling required for the specification of motor neuron identity. Cell 87, 661-673.
Tanabe, Y. and Jessell, T.M. (1996) Diversity and pattern in the developing spinal cord. Science 274, 1115-1123.
Ericson, J., Rashbass, P., Schedl, A., Brenner-Morton, S.,Kawakami, A. van Heyningen, V., Jessell, T.M., Briscoe, J. (1997) Pax6 controls progenitor cell identity and neuronal fate in response to graded Shh signaling. Cell 90, 169-180.
Liem, K., Tremml, G. and Jessell, T.M. (1997). A role for the roof plate and its resident TGFß-related proteins in neuronal patterning in the dorsalspinal cord. Cell 91, 127-138.