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The Molecular Basis of Migration
One of the most remarkable aspects of life, whether it be a single cell or a multicellular organism, is the ability to move. This is even more astounding when one considers that this movement is frequently equipped with directionality. Whether it be a migratory bird that crosses continents, or a cell that inches forward a micrometer at a time, both have a drive, a direction and a destination. What molecular mechanisms underlie this migration? I am investigating two very different forms of migration: (1) the migration of neurons; and (2) the migration of animals mediated by magnetic fields.
Jaglin, XH., Poirier, K., Saillour, Y., Buhler, E., Tian, G., Bahi-Buisson, N., Fallet-Bianco, C., Phan-Dinh-Tuy, F., Kong, XP., Bomont, P., Castelnau-Ptakhine, L., Odent, S., Loget, P., Kossorotoff, M., Snoeck, I., Plessis, G., Parent, P., Beldjord, C., Cardoso, C., Represa, A., Flint, J., Keays, DA., Cowan, NJ., Chelly, J. (2009). Mutations in the beta-tubulin gene TUBB2B result in asymmetrical polymicrogyria.
Nat Genet.
(abstract)
2008
Groszer, M., Keays, DA., Deacon, RM., de Bono, JP., Prasad-Mulcare, S., Gaub, S., Baum, MG., French, CA., Nicod, J., Coventry, JA., Enard, W., Fray, M., Brown, SD., Nolan, PM., Pääbo, S., Channon, KM., Costa, RM., Eilers, J., Ehret, G., Rawlins, JN., Fisher, SE. (2008). Impaired synaptic plasticity and motor learning in mice with a point mutation implicated in human speech deficits.
Curr Biol. 18(5):354-62
(abstract)
Tian, G., Kong, XP., Jaglin, XH., Chelly, J., Keays, D., Cowan, NJ. (2008). A pachygyria-causing alpha-tubulin mutation results in inefficient cycling with CCT and a deficient interaction with TBCB.
Mol Biol Cell. 19(3):1152-61
(abstract)