Post date: 04/30/19
Cells divide, move, adhere and have physical and chemical interactions with their neighbors and their environment to determine the formation of multicellular organ systems with unique fates, morphologies, function and behavior. Our broad goal is to understand how such interactions determine pattern and the self-organization of cell communities in the nervous system of the zebrafish embryo.
The lateral line is a mechanosensory system that helps determine the pattern of water flow over the fish and amphibian body. It consists of sensory organs called neuromasts that are distributed in a periodic pattern over the body surface. Each neuromast has sensory hair cells at its center and these sensory cells are surrounded by support cells, which serve as progenitors for production of more hair cells during growth and regeneration of neuromasts. The development of this superficial sensory system in zebrafish is spearheaded by the posterior lateral line primordium, a group of about 140 cells that migrates collectively under the skin from near the ear to the tip of the tail. As its cells move in a cohesive column, they divide and reorganize to form nascent neuromasts that are deposited sequentially from its trailing end. Their journey is easily observed in live transgenic embryos with fluorescent primordium cells. Furthermore, a range of genetic, cellular and chemical manipulations can be used to investigate gene function and morphogenesis in this system. Understanding the self-organization of this relatively simple and accessible system in zebrafish serves as a model to elucidate the broader principles that coordinate cell fate specification, morphogenesis and collective cell migration in the developing vertebrate nervous system.
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
- What are the mechanisms that determine periodic formation of nascent neuromasts (protoneuromasts) in the migrating posterior Lateral Line primordium?
- What are the patterning mechanisms that determine specification of a central hair cell progenitor in protoneuromasts?
- How do interactions between primordium cells and the environment coordinate collective migration of the posterior Lateral Line primordium?
- What are the mechanisms that determine periodic deposition of neuromasts by the migrating primordium?
We are a small multidisciplinary team that uses a combination of cellular, molecular, genetic, biomechanical, live imaging and computational approaches to understand the development of the posterior lateral line primordium. This includes the use state-of-the-art microscopy, image processing and the development of multi-scale computational models to understand the self-organization of cell-fate, morphogenesis and migration of the lateral line primordium. Our team includes Post-baccalaureate and Postdoctoral researchers with a broad range of strengths in genetics, embryology, cell biology, molecular biology, biomechanics, image processing, bioinformatics and agent-based computer modelling. We have active collaborations with other labs that have specific strengths in Mathematical modelling, biomechanics and the physics of living systems.Opportunities for Graduate Students via local and international Graduate partnership programs are also available.
Roles and Responsibilities
The candidate will use cellular, molecular, genetic, biomechanical, live imaging or computational approaches to understand the development of the posterior lateral line primordium. This includes the use state-of-the-art microscopy, image processing and the development of multi-scale computational models to understand the self-organization of cell-fate, morphogenesis and migration of the lateral line primordium. Specific focus will be on developing tools and methods for investigating, imaging, quantifying and modelling, the mechanics of collective migration, morphogenesis of epithelial rosettes and the intercellular and intracellular signaling networks that coordinate lateral line primordium development.
About You
The candidate needs to have recently completed a bachelors degree and have a strong interest in research. The current position is specifically for a candidate with experience or an interest in microscopy, image processing, biomechanics, physics of living systems. Experience with agent-based modeling, Matlab, or Cellular Potts models would be an asset.
Application
Write directly to Ajay Chitnis (chitnisa@mail.nih.gov).
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