“Effect of Slit on Neural Crest Migration”

Maria Elena de Bellard, Ph.D., California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330

The neural crest emerges shortly after neural tube closure and gives rise to the peripheral nervous system. These cells go from a non-motile, closely adherent cell type, to a highly motile one that allows them to migrate rapidly throughout the embryo and reach distant areas where they differentiate. In addition, neural crest cells encompass a stem cell-like population that can give rise to neurons, glia, melanocytes, facial bone, cornea, etc. Little is known about the underlying mechanism directing the process of neural crest migration. The goal of the proposed study is to constitutively overexpress Slit in the neural crest before it starts to migrate to help me answer the question regarding a cell-autonomous role for Slit in the neural crest. In other words, we want to look for a second role for Slit molecules in neural crest migration: as an inhibitor of cell migration.

Maria Elena de Bellard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
California State University Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street, Biology Department
Northridge, CA 91330-8303

Phone: 818-677-6470
Fax: 818-677-2034

mariaelena.debellard@csun.edu