Developmental Neurobiology

Developmental Neurobiology investigates the fundamental processes that govern normal brain development and function. It is mainly for understanding and treating a range of diseases afflicting the nervous system including tumors, defects in hearing and vision as well as neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Current research includes studies of early cell fate decisions and control of brain growth, neuronal migration and synapse formation, analysis of the mechanisms responsible for synaptic plasticity, investigations of the control of cell death and regeneration, examination of mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases, identification of genes involved in the formation and function of the inner ear and retina, and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying a range of tumors, including medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, ependymoma and glioma.