The Appel lab investigates the molecular genetic mechanisms that regulate cell fate specification, migration and differentiation in the vertebrate nervous system using zebrafish as a model system. Much of the lab's current work focuses on the development of oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cell type of the central nervous system. Lab members investigate the temporal and spatial patterning of the zebrafish spinal cord by producing transgenic zebrafish that express fluorescent reporter proteins in subsets of neural precursors and their daughter cells and by labeling single precursor cells with vital dyes to analyze the role of cell lineage in neural cell fate specification. Subsequently, they test hypotheses addressing the roles of particular signal transduction pathways using mutants, transgenics that allow conditional manipulation of gene function, and small molecular weight compounds that inhibit activity of pathway components.  Trainees in the Appel lab analyze oligodendrocyte migration and differentiation using a similar combination of gene function tests together with extensive time-lapse confocal imaging. Most lab members also participate in a screen for mutations that disrupt oligodendrocyte specification and migration and are also involved in genetic mapping and positional cloning projects.

For more information about Dr. Appel visit his Vanderbilt Faculty Page or his Lab Website

NEWEST PUBLICATIONS

Hh and Wnt signaling regulate formation of olig2+ neurons in the zebrafish cerebellum.  Developmental Biology (2008) 318: 162-171

ndrg4 is required for normal myocyte proliferation during early cardiac development in zebrafish.  Developmental Biology (2008) 317: 486-496

CNS-derived glia ensheath peropheral nerves and emdiate motor root development.  Nature Neuroscience (2008) 11: 143-151