Project 20

Neurogenesis in CX3CR1 deficient mice

The birth of new neurons continues postnatally in a select number of areas in the mammalian brain. Because of its therapeutic potential, the discovery that nerve cells can be successfully added and/or replaced within the adult brain from endogenous stem or precursor cells has caused much excitement in the scientific community. Brain microglia are actively involved in the clearance of dying cells from nervous tissue. However, the molecular signals that govern the activation of these phagocytic cells while maintaining a favourable environment for neuronal replacement are less clear. In this project, we will study the role of the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 in controlled clearance of compromised cells from the brain using experimentally induced neuronal death in normal and CX3CR1 knock-out mice. Understanding the mechanisms of adult neurogenesis at the cellular and molecular level is important to predict how this process might be affected in neurodegenerative conditions in the brain or inflammation as well as for potential therapeutic applications.
Depending on the student's interest, the project can involve a wide variety of techniques, i.e. from rodent neurosurgery, histology to molecular biology (RNA / DNA extraction, PCR etc.).

If you want to know more about this project or others, please feel free to come and see us in the lab! Marc Ruitenberg (phone: 6488 7513 or email: mruitenberg@anhb.uwa.edu.au)