Research Interests
Developmental Neurobiology
We study mechanisms that regulate form and pattern in the developing nervous system, using the retino-tectal projection of tadpoles of the frog Xenopus laevis as an in vivo vertebrate model system. A major experimental focus of our laboratory is to decipher how essential signaling molecules that modulate cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesion coordinate to regulate specific patterns of motility dynamics underlying axon development in the developing nervous system. Deciphering the mechanisms that form axonal connections in vivo will provide insight into how the micro-anatomical substrate for all neuronal functions is established during embryonic development, altered in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases, and could be repaired following injury or disease.
Art-Science and STEAM
We pursue interdisciplinary research in art and science to highlight and document how art can be used to enhance students' understanding of concepts in science and medical education. We used morphometrics to compared forms in abstract expressionist paintings and in microscopic biological images, thought to have inspired the artist Sam Francis in creating his paintings. In a second project we created animations of cell dynamics driving neural tube formation and optic axon branching using the visual artists programming language Processing, developed at MIT Media Laboratories. In a third project, we are applying fractal analysis to compare patterns in photographs of man created landscapes by the environmental artist Edward Burtysnky and in histology micrographs. Two other projects are showing outcomes for how art improves medical and science (Cell Biology) education.
We study mechanisms that regulate form and pattern in the developing nervous system, using the retino-tectal projection of tadpoles of the frog Xenopus laevis as an in vivo vertebrate model system. A major experimental focus of our laboratory is to decipher how essential signaling molecules that modulate cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesion coordinate to regulate specific patterns of motility dynamics underlying axon development in the developing nervous system. Deciphering the mechanisms that form axonal connections in vivo will provide insight into how the micro-anatomical substrate for all neuronal functions is established during embryonic development, altered in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases, and could be repaired following injury or disease.
Art-Science and STEAM
We pursue interdisciplinary research in art and science to highlight and document how art can be used to enhance students' understanding of concepts in science and medical education. We used morphometrics to compared forms in abstract expressionist paintings and in microscopic biological images, thought to have inspired the artist Sam Francis in creating his paintings. In a second project we created animations of cell dynamics driving neural tube formation and optic axon branching using the visual artists programming language Processing, developed at MIT Media Laboratories. In a third project, we are applying fractal analysis to compare patterns in photographs of man created landscapes by the environmental artist Edward Burtysnky and in histology micrographs. Two other projects are showing outcomes for how art improves medical and science (Cell Biology) education.