Revealing how cells use protrusions to help form the early nervous system (2025-2028)

This project aims to understand the formation of the neural tube; a fundamental tissue structure that generates the brain and spinal cord. Using interdisciplinary approaches and exploiting recent advances in transgenic and quantitative imaging technologies, the project expects to reveal how cellular protrusions mediate the precise tissue fusion required to form the neural tube. Outcomes include knowledge of previously intractable developmental processes, training of future scientists and development of international collaborations. This should provide enhanced imaging capacity, a higher quality scientific workforce and position Australia at the forefront of cell and developmental biology.