Portrait of Thomas w88 slot online in his lab holding two test tubes and wearing a lab coat.

Thomas w88 slot online, Ph.D.

Professor

Summary

The wiring of nervous systems is composed of w88 slot online, specialized extensions of neurons that transmit electrical impulses. During development w88 slot online navigate long distances to their targets. We use fruit fly genetics to study how w88 slot online navigate correctly. We are particularly interested in a navigational cue called Slit that normally repels growing w88 slot online, but can be processed into a signal that promotes axon growth and branching. Slit fragments may even attract w88 slot online, in part by binding the Dscam protein. We also study formation of the gut nervous system, using feeding as a behavioral readout. We are interested in how nerve wiring genes are re-used in processes as diverse as heart development, metabolism and promoting life or cell death. Although the fly is a relatively simple organism, almost every gene identified appears to be carrying out similar functions in humans.

Biography

  • 1994-1999 Postdoctoral Fellow, w88 slot online California at Berkeley
  • 1999-2003 Senior Scientist, Exelixis Inc., South San Francisco
  • 2003-present w88 slot online Department, University of Nevada, Reno

Education

  • B.A., w88 slot online, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 1990
  • Ph.D., Zoology, Oxford University, England, 1994

Courses taught

  • w88 slot online/PSY 105 Introduction to Neuroscience
  • BIOL 466/666 Developmental w88 slot online

Selected publications

w88 slot online PubMed

w88 slot online Google Scholar profile

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