Axonal pathfinding in the developing chick visual system

During early embryonic development, axons grow with high accuracy to specific target areas, navigating along protein cues provided by the environment. A major goal of Dr. Halfter’s laboratory is to identify the proteins that are involved in the early neurite outgrowth event. Because extracellular matrix proteins are likely to play a role in axonal migration, a detailed biochemical analysis of this class of molecules in the developing chick visual system is underway. Other investigations in Dr. Halfter’s laboratory involve tissue culture experiments and transplanta-tions in live embryos in order to identify the mechanisms underlying the orientation of growing nerve fibers.

Trainees in Dr. Halfter's lab have the opportunity to learn how to culture nerve cells, produce monoclonal antibodies, and identify proteins in the developing central nervous system by peptide sequencing and cDNA cloning in phage libraries.

Sample Publications:

Halfter, W, Winzen U, Bishop PN, Eller A. Regulation of eye size by the retinal basement membrane and vitreous body. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 47(8): 3586-94, 2006.

Candiello J, Balasubramani M, Schreiber EM, Cole GJ, Mayer U, Halfter W, Lin H. Biomechanical properties of native basement membranes. FEBS J. 274(11): 2897-908, 2007.

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