Control of cellular differentiation in the developing brain

Abstract:: This project aims to understand how mature brain cells form during foetal life. The central hypothesis is that a specific transcription factor family, called NFI, regulates the epigenetic state of the cell, allowing chromatin accessibility and subsequent transcriptional activation and repression to control cellular differentiation. Aims 1 and 2 will investigate how brain cells transition from proliferating progenitor cells to differentiated mature cell types. Aim 3 will investigate how differentiation is maintained in the adult brain. Methods used involve genome and chromatin analyses of cells isolated from transgenic mouse models. Outcomes and benefits are substantial knowledge gain applicable to stem cell regulation and brain health.
Grant type:: ARC Discovery Projects
Funded by:: Australian Research Council

The University of Queensland