Neuronal migration and axonal guidance

Dr. Yip’s group is interested in neuronal proliferation, migration and axon guidance. Their current research on the chick and mouse sympathetic system is aimed at determining: 1) whether the specification of preganglionic neurons is under genetic or epigenetic control, 2) the pathway and guidance cues in the migration of preganglionic neurons, and 3) whether the projection of preganglionic axons toward their target area is guided by chemoattractant molecules. Neural transplantations, tissue culture, BrdU labeling, lineage tracers, monoclonal antibody production, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, anterograde and retrograde neuronal tracings, and light and electromicro- scopy are used in the pursuit of these problems.

Trainees in Dr. Yip’s laboratory have the opportunity to learn how to combine modern cell and molecular biological techniques and classical techniques in experimental embryology to answer major unresolved questions on neural development.

Sample Publications:

Yip JW, Yip YPL, Nakajima K, and Capriotti C. Reelin controls position of autonomic neurons in the spinal cord. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 97: 8612-8616, 2000.

Yip YP, Capriotti C, and Yip JW. Migratory pathway of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in normal and reeler mutant mice. J. Comp. Neur. 19: 94-105, 2003.

Yip YP, Capriotti C, Magdaleno S, Benhayon D, Curran T, Nakajima K, and Yip JW. Components of the Reelin signaling pathway are expressed in the spinal cord. J. Comp. Neur. 470:210-219, 2004.

Yip YP, Capriotti C, Kronstadt-O'Brien P, Cooper JA, and Yip JW. Migration of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord is regulated by Reelin-regulated Dab1 tyrosine phosphorylation and CrkL. J. Comp. Neur. 502: 635-643, 2007.

Yip YP, Capriotti C, Drill E, Tsai LH, and Yip JW. Cdk5 selectively affects the migration of different populations of neurons in the developing spinal cord. J. Comp. Neur. 503: 297-307, 2007.

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