The peripheral nervous system of the head derives from two sources, neural crest and ectodermal placodes. Dr Jon Golding is currently investigating how the migration and integration of these distinct cell populations is altered in developmental disorders including hypervitaminosis A and Opitz syndrome. For this work, we temporarily modify gene expression within selected populations of cells, or chemically modify signal transduction pathways, using the chick embryo as a model of craniofacial development.
Alterations in the extent of neurogenesis (neurons in red) due to right-sided forced expression of various genetic constructs (green) in neural crest cells in the developing chick. Arrowheads show where neurogenesis is altered, compared to the opposite side of the embryo.
