9421890 Nardi During neural development and regeneration, the processes of neurons often must navigate long distances to reach their targets. During this growth phase, the neuron encounters many cues that guide its navigation, including cell adhesion molecules, other neurons, and glial cells. This research seeks to define the role that glial cells play in guiding growing neural processes to their appropriate target. To do this, a novel model system will be used. In the insect wing, neural processes must navigate from the base of the wing to the tip. Along the way, the neural processes encounter glial cells at precisely defined positions, positions at which these processes often turn. In this research, glial cells will be transplanted to different positions to directly determine if the presence or absence of glial cells influences the probability that the neural processes will make the appropriate guidance choice. If this proves to be the case, further experiments will seek to define the molecular basis of the guidance cues provided by glial cells. This will provide fundamental information concerning the role that glia play in nervous system development and regeneration.
