Dendrite arborization takes place in a complex cellular environment in which neurons interact with many other cells. The dendritic arbor is then maintained over time to carry out its function in information collection and processing. During early phases of dendrite morphogenesis, a neuron develops a dendritic arbor with a particular size, shape, and branching pattern. A neuron’s potential for dendrite growth and branching is determined by the intrinsic genetic program that gives rise to the neuron’s unique identity. One of our focuses is on the development of CRISPR and optogenetic tools in Drosophila another is on novel microscopy techniques and quantitative image analyses.ĭendrite morphogenesis sets the foundation for neural circuit formation. To address the above questions, we are keen on developing novel genetic, molecular, and cellular tools that can enable us to dissect biological processes with greater power and flexibility (Figure 1). We are currently investigating the regulation of PS exposure on neurons and the recognition of PS by phagocytes.
Neuron dendrite development driver#
We showed that PS is responsible for inducing engulfment of neurons by resident phagocytes in various neurodegenerative contexts and that PS-induced phagocytosis can act as a driver for neurodegeneration in injury and under certain genetic conditions. Our current focus is on phagocytic interactions between neurons and phagocytes resulting from exposure of the “eat-me” signal phosphatidylserine (PS) on neurons. We would like not only to discover the molecular players that are essential for specific branching patterns of neurons but also to understand how the activity of these players in time and space produces particular branching outcomes.įor neurodegeneration, we are curious about how neurons interact with other cell types during neuronal damage, repair, and degeneration. We welcome motivated graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and technicians to be part of our team.įor neuronal morphogenesis, we aim to uncover the rules governing the branching patterns of neuronal dendrites at molecular and cellular levels. Our primary model systems are the beautiful dendritic arborization (da) somatosensory neurons of Drosophila larvae (Figure 1). The research goal of the Han lab is to decipher the secrets of the neuronal morphogenesis and neurodegeneration using cutting-edge technologies.
0 kommentar(er)
