Developmental Genetics

Faculty of Sciences | Molecular Biology

Interfaculty institutes | UNI, ULB Neuroscience Institute

(Code: ULB578)

Our unit is studying vertebrate nervous system development, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that control the transition from neural stem cell to
neurons in the developing vertebrate nervous system.  We focus on some transcription factors to probe the molecular mechanisms controling neural progenitor
maintenance, differentiation, and the generation of neuronal diversity in the developing telencephalon and sensory ganglia. We use for our work the Xenopus
embryo, which offers many advantages for in vivo gene function analysis during early embryonic development. Functional assays in Xenopus are complemented by 
gain- and loss-of-function by electroporation in chick embryos and genetic knockouts in the mouse, to gain fuller understanding of gene action and their
normal requirements in the developing embryo. Gaining insight into the mechanisms driving the differentiation of neural stem cells into specific types of
neurons  will help to understand neurological disorders and to devise novel therapeutic strategies.

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Disciplines CRef :

 • Development genetics

 • Exact and natural sciences

 • Growth and development (animal)

 • Molecular biology

 • Teaching of the natural sciences