Research

The research in this department is mainly focused on the studies of molecular mechanisms in the development, plasticity and regeneration of the nervous system. For this purpose, various techniques such as immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization histochemistry, electron microscopy and cell culture are used for analysis.

Outline of Projects

1. Roles of transcription factors, neural cell adhesion molecules and proteoglycans in the development and regeneration of the nervous system.
2. Development, differentiation and plasticity of neuronal connections in the mammalian olfactory system.
3. Neural degeneration and regeneration in Diabetes Mellitus and other metabolic diseases.

Immunohistochemical localization of galectin-1 in adult rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in vivo (A) and in vitro (B). (A) Galectin-1 immunoreactivity was observed diffusely in the cytosol of DRG neurons (mainly small neurons) and Schwann cells. (B) After 5 days in culture, galectin-1 immunoreactivity was concentrated at the cell surface of almost all neurons.

Thalamocortical pathway lablled with the fluorescent tracer DiI placed in the thalamus at embryonic day 16. Left: in the normal mouse,DiI-labelled axons run along the subplate (SbP) and do not enter the cortical plate (CP). Right: in the age-matched reeler mutant mouse which exhibits the abnormal neocortical lamination, DiI-labelled axons obliquely traverse the CP (arrows). Observation on a confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Staff