The Heng Group focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control nerve cell production and maturation within the mammalian brain.
By understanding nerve cell development during embryogenesis, we will gain further insight into the pathogenesis of brain disorders (such as epilepsy and mental retardation) which can arise as a consequence of abnormal neural development. These studies could, in turn, lead to the development of novel drug treatments or gene therapies for these disorders. In addition, knowledge of the signalling pathways that control nerve cell production will inform on future therapies which exploit the limited endogenous capacity for self-repair within adult brain.
The Group uses cutting edge molecular techniques to study the birth and development of cerebral cortical neurons within fetal mouse brain in vivo as well as in vitro. These studies are combined with BioInformatics approaches to identify then characterise genes responsible for aspects of the maturation of newborn nerve cells.
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