Section: Rotations

Postdoctoral Position Available

Gerald Schwarting, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Cell Biology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Program in Neuroscience

Potential Rotation Projects

Project #1: The soluble chemoattractant/repellent netrin-1 is expressed in the ventricular zone of the developing olfactory bulb and by neurons in the olfactory epithelium in the early mouse embryo at a time when the olfactory system is being patterned. Two netrin-1 receptors, DCC and Unc5h3 are expressed by different cell types in the developing olfactory system. The trajectories of axon subsets and positions of neuronal populations will be examined in Netrin-1, DCC, and Unc5h3 mutant mice from embryonic day 12 to birth, the time frame in which patterning of the olfactory system takes place. Explant culture experiments will also be carried out in conjunction with the use of function-blocking antibodies to determine the role of these proteins in olfactory development.

Project #2: In vitro slice preparations from developing mammalian embryos have significantly advanced the understanding of migratory behavior of cells in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and most recently in our studies of the hypothalamus. Our in vitro organotypic slice procedures allow us to directly examine the movements of cells across the developing rodent nasal septum and through the brain. Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) allows the targeted expression of a fluorescent marker that can be visualized in live cells. A mouse line that expresses GFP specifically in LHRH cells is now on hand in my lab and will allow us to follow the migration of identified LHRH cells in vivo and in vitro as they move along olfactory and brain pathways. Techniques include the preparation of slices of entire embryonic heads, in which functional migratory connections can be maintained between the nasal cavity and basal forebrain in vitro. Immunofluorescence, confocal and light microscopic techniques allow us to follow live migrating LHRH cells into the forebrain and will allow us to test molecules that are important for regulating cell migration.

Office: S3-242
Phone: (508) 856-1678
E-mail: Gerald.Schwarting@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Neurobiology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology

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Postdoctoral Position Available A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Schwarting for additional details.