Genetics and Genomics of Neural Wiring

The assembly of a functional neural circuit requires that neurons in the network wire correctly. A key question in this process is how neurites discriminate between one another and form connections with their specific synaptic partners. Virtually nothing is known about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate wiring specificity. Expanding our knowledge in this field can help us understand the origin of neurological disorders caused by abnormal circuit assembly, and provide an insight into general principles helpful to coax stem cell derived neurons to properly integrate and reconstruct damaged neural circuits.

To address wiring specificity we use the fly visual system as a model, taking advantage of its striking similarities to vertebrate neuropils, both in terms of neuronal diversity, layered structure and glial support. We combine state of the art genetic techniques, genomic approaches and imaging to unravel how neurons establish specific connections through the following projects:

1. Transcriptional profiling of cell type specific neurons.
2. Molecular mechanisms regulating cell type specific wiring specificity.
3. Transcriptional strategies that bring about specific connectivity patterns.
4. The importance of glia in neural circuit assembly