What is the mechanism of chain migration?
We would like to understand how neuronal precursors become organized into chains, how cells move in chains, what guides young neurons toward the olfactory bulb and where else in the adult and embryonic brain chain migration occurs. What kinds of astrocytes can function as stem cells? We are in search for better markers, in the embryo and in the adult, for neural stem cells. We are studying the molecular signals that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. What is the function of neurons formed in the adult brain and how do olfactory learning and olfactory discrimination affect neuronal recruitment in the olfactory bulb? We are interested in behavioral or hormonal conditions that affect neuronal replacement in the olfactory bulb. In parallel we are developing techniques to stop neuronal production or migration to study their effects on the olfactory bulb and olfactory function. Are neural stem cells in the postnatal brain the origin of brain tumors? We are t
