This application investigates the early embryonic events that underlie the development of sensory neurons that innervate the taste system. Specifically, it asks how neurons segregate to gustatory or non-gustatory (somatosensory) modalities. Cranial nerve ganglia that carry taste information arise embryonically from epibranchial placodes and the neural crest. Cell labeling and tissue transplantation techniques will be used to fate map placodes and crest to determine the embryonic origin of gustatory neurons. Gustatory neurons are dependent on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for survival. When during development do gustatory neurons require BDNF and what is the source of BDNF required by gustatory neurons? These questions will be addressed using a molecular genetic approach, in which BDNF is selectively deleted from subsets of cranial ganglionic neurons in transgenic mice. The mechanisms involved in cranial nerve development are likely to be broadly involved in many aspects of early sensory system development. My results will lend basic insight into events of normal vertebrate embryogenesis and provide elementary data for the study of neurological defects. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31DC007796-01A1
Application #
7158011
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2006-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$27,571
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
Harlow, Danielle E; Yang, Hui; Williams, Trevor et al. (2011) Epibranchial placode-derived neurons produce BDNF required for early sensory neuron development. Dev Dyn 240:309-23
Harlow, Danielle E; Barlow, Linda A (2007) Embryonic origin of gustatory cranial sensory neurons. Dev Biol 310:317-28