We study the cellular interactions that are required for growth cones to find their targets, and the molecules that subserve these interactions. Growth cones are studied by labeling them in living embryos and observing them as they navigate through manipulated embryos with time-lapse microscopy. Embryos are manipulated by laser ablation or transplantation of cells, mutagenesis, and manipulation of gene expression in transgenic zebrafish. Using transgenic zebrafish we have developed a method for activating genes in single cells with a laser microbeam to see how the expressed molecules affect growth cones. Additionally, we are identifying new genes that guide growth cones by both molecular and genetic analyses.
Growth cones utilize both widespread and local directional cues in the zebrafish brain.
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