Department of Pediatrics, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy

E-mail: jbonkowsky@gmail.com
Address: 409 Wintrobe Building, 20 North 1900 East
Phone: 585-1702

Research Title:  Basal Ganglia Axon Pathfinding in Zebrafish

Research description:  The basal ganglia are a critical group of neurons in the deep forebrain of vertebrates, involved in multiple disease processes including Parkinson‚s and Huntington disease, cerebral palsy, and schizophrenia. 

     We are using zebrafish as a model organism to find the genes involved in axon pathfinding (the connections from neurons to their targets) of the basal ganglia neurons.  While the adult circuitry of the basal ganglia is well-described, how that circuitry and connections form is unknown.  Our goal is to determine the genes and mechanisms leading to development of the basal ganglia circuitry.  This knowledge will help us in understanding better the pathophysiology of the multiple diseases involving the basal ganglia, as well as how to direct treatments for these diseases.

     The research in our lab (a joint project with Dr. Chi-Bin Chien in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy) would consist of analyzing both known genes, as well as trying to identify novel genes, with roles in pathfinding of basal ganglia axons.

Does this research involve human subjects or animals?  on

If yes, what is the protocol number?  04-12001

10/06