Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NeuroCentro (Novel mechanisms of neurogenesis- from centrosome to engineering migration)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-09-30
The overall objectives of this grant are to understand the cell-type-specific functions that some of the proteins that are at the centrosome in a cell-type-specific function exert. A focus of this are the RNA-binding proteins, but also cytoskeletal proteins that may regulate unexpected functions. A second main aim is to understand the role of the centrosome in different modes of migration and if its distinct composition contributes to distinct migration modes. Finally, we are aiming to help cells that failed to migrate in a disease context by correcting their migration, e.g. by manipulating specific (centrosome) proteins.
Interestingly, specific proteins associated with the centrosome also allow separating its function in cell migration versus axon formation, as recently published in a collaborative work with Frank Bradke (Vinpoal et al., Neuron 2023).
In addition, we have used some of the tools to manipulate gene expression in direct reprogramming. We are also interested to compare development of cells normally in the developing brain, versus transplantation into an adult brain, as the latter is important for brain repair.