Grant: CIHR Fellowship

In this project, we're studying neural crest cells (NCCs), vital for jawed vertebrate development. They give rise to different populations like cranial, vagal, trunk, and sacral NCCs, each forming specific body structures. Vagal NCCs (vNCCs) are of particular interest as they migrate extensively, influencing structures like enteric neurons and parts of the heart. However, we still don't fully understand the gene networks guiding their migration and differentiation. Splicing, a crucial gene regulation process, plays a significant role. Notably Mutations in splicing factors like SF3B4 are linked to facial, heart, and gut malformations, emphasizing splicing's importance. Our project aims to understand how SF3B4 abnormalities contribute to vNCC-related diseases, focusing on cardiac and enteric neuronal issues. We'll analyze vNCC transcriptomes, study SF3B4 loss effects in mouse and zebrafish models, and explore associated molecular changes. By combining transcriptomics, traditional biology techniques, and various model organisms, including human stem cells, we hope to uncover complex mechanisms behind these disorders. Ultimately, we aim to advance neural crest development understanding and potentially aid in developing treatments for related disorders.