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Yasushi Nakagawa, M.D.,
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience and Stem Cell Institute
nakagawa@umn.edu
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 Cellular
and molecular mechanisms of brain development and plasticity.
In our laboratory, we are interested in understanding cellular and
molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and plasticity
in mammalian brain, in particular the sensory systems in the forebrain
that include dorsal thalamus and neocortex. Efforts in our lab are
directed at two major goals. First, we are trying to examine the roles
of thalamocortical projections in the formation of functionally and
anatomically distinct sensory areas in neocortex. To dissect intrinsic
mechanisms operating within neocortex and extrinsic mechanisms conveyed
by the thalamic input, we will produce and analyze genetically engineered
mice in which neurons of certain thalamic nuclei are specifically
ablated during early stage of development. Using these mice, we will
analyze the alteration of thalamocortical projections and differentiation
of neocortical neurons as assessed by patterns of gene expression
and axonal and dendritic development.
Second, we are trying to identify transcription factors that play
roles in specification and differentiation of dorsal thalamic nuclei.
We will be using both loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches
to examine the roles of genes that we have identified.
The methods that we use to pursue these goals include 1) production
of embryonic stem cell-mediated gene targeted mice and transgenic
mice that involves a wide variety of basic and advanced molecular
biology and cell culture techniques, 2) in utero gene delivery into
embryonic brain using an improved electroporation method, 3) analysis
of gene and protein expression on sections and whole mount brains
by in situ hybridization and immunostaining methods, and 4) classical
neuroanatomical techniques such as axon tracing using carbocyanate
dyes. We also plan to incorporate live imaging of axonal growth and
neuronal activity on living slices.
See also the Stem
Cell Institute website. |
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Selected Publications |
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Vue, TY., Aaker, J., Taniguchi, A., Kazemzadeh, C., Skidmore, JM., Martin, DM., Martin, JF., Treier, M., and Nakagawa, Y
Characterization of progenitor domains in the developing mouse thalamus.
Journal of Comparative Neurology 2007 505: 73-91 |
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Nakagawa, Y. and O'Leary, DDM.
Patterned expression of orphan nuclear receptor genes RORa and RORb
in developing mouse forebrain.
Developmental
Neuroscience 2003;25: 233-244 |
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O'Leary, DDM. and Nakagawa, Y.
Patterning center, regulatory genes, and extrinsic mechanisms controlling
the arealization of the neocortex.
Current Opinions in Neurobiology 2002 12:14-25 |
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Nakagawa, Y. and O'Leary, DDM.
Combinatorial expression patterns of LIM-homeodomain and other regulatory
genes parcellate developing thalamus.
Journal
of Neuroscience 2001 21:2711-2725 |
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Nakagawa, Y., Johnson, JE., and O'Leary, DDM.
Graded and areal expression patterns of regulatory genes and cadherins
in embryonic neocortex independent of thalamocortical input.
Journal
of Neuroscience 1999 19:10877-10885 |
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Tuttle, R.*, Nakagawa, Y.*, Johnson, JE., and O'Leary,
DDM.
Defects in thalamocortical axon pathfinding correlate with altered
cell domains in Mash-1 deficient mice (*co-first authors).
Development
1999 126:1903-1916 |
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