Inductive mechanisms play a major role in the development of the central nervous system as well as of other tissues in the organism. In particular, given the importance of the visual system in vertebrates, induction of eye development is one of the most extensively studied and serves at a paradigm for the inductive process. However, little is known about the induction of the neuroretina. The proposed research will utilize a combination of molecular, biochemical and histological approaches to identify factors that induce formation of the retina. We will undertake two parallel strategies. Firstly, we will investigate the effect of candidate retinal inducers identified in other systems. In addition, we will also perform an expression screen of Xenopus cDNA library for transcripts that induce formation of the retina. We believe that the combination of these two approaches will successfully identify genes that play a role in retinal development. These experiments will also further the understanding of general inductive mechanisms and their regulation. In addition, further comprehension of the inductive process in the eye will advance the prospects for regeneration and repair of ophtamological damage.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32EY006975-02
Application #
6178927
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Program Officer
Hunter, Chyren
Project Start
2000-04-05
Project End
Budget Start
2000-04-05
Budget End
2001-04-04
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$32,416
Indirect Cost
Name
Rockefeller University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
071037113
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065