Topic outline
-
See Introduction below
The main objective of the material proposed this week is focussed on the understanding of the mechanisms that underly the regional identity of the nervous system. To this aim you will have to work on the material on the start@unito platform Unit 3 - Section 2
The main topics are:
- antero-posterior axis whit a focus on Hox genes function in hindbrain development;
- organizing centers in the developing brain;
- dorsal-ventral polarity of the neural tube (the spinal cord) - see also the snap-shot on spinal cord development (attached below)
For an in depth understanding of the topic read the following papers
Molecular mechanisms controlling brain development: an overview of neuroepithelial secondary organizers by C. Vieira, A. Pombero, R. Garcia-Lopez, L. Gimeno, D. Echevarria and S. Martinez. Int. J. Dev. Biol. 54: 7-20 (2010) doi: 10.1387/ijdb.092853cv
Dorsal-ventral patterning of the neural tube: a tale of three signals by Le Dréau G., Martì E. Dev. Neurobiol. 2012 Dec;72(12):1471-81. doi:10.1002/dneu.22015.-
Students are invited to build one or more concept map based on the topic "Neural induction and patterning" and to assess the work of their peers (in anonymous form) providing feedback.
Remember to have a positive attitude towards the work of your colleagues, but at the same time, try to be critical in order to improve your work and that of your colleagues.
It's important that all students take part in the task!
dead line for the submission April 28
dead line for the peer review April 30