Neurons may build their identity after birth, study finds
Researchers at the Stowers Institute have discovered that neurons in fruit flies establish their specific identity shortly after birth rather than inheriting it from parent stem cells. This finding suggests that gene regulation during early development is more dynamic than previously understood.
Why it matters
Understanding how neuron identity is formed could eventually inform regenerative medicine strategies for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and ALS.
Tech & Startup Desk Image: Stowers Institute for Medical Research Neurons – nerve cells that transmit signals throughout the body – may not simply inherit their identity from the stem cells that produce them, according to a new study by researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examined 232,251 cells during the development of the fruit fly's visual system. Researchers used the data to create a detailed map of how genes and regulatory regions change as neurons develop.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in