Research report 2011 - Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site)

Guidance cues for growing nerves

Authors
Dudanova, Irina; Klein, Rüdiger
Departments
Molekulare Neurobiologie (Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Klein)
Summary
Our movements are controlled by nerve cells located in the spinal cord. Before birth, these cells have to be connected with the correct muscles, some of which are situated far away from the spinal cord, like the muscles of the lower leg. To reach their destination, the processes of nerve cells have to cover large distances, growing through different tissues. How do they find their way in this complex environment? Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology use genetic and cell biological methods to study the molecular signals that help the growing nerves navigate through the body.

For the full text, see the German version.

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