Vidya Chandrasekaran

Neurons have two main processes : axons for transmitting information and dendrites for receiving signals. Axons and dendrites differ in length, morphology and in the signals that control their growth. During neuronal injury, it is known that loss of axons results in dendritic retraction. Therefore, it is important to understand the signals that are involved in extension and retraction of dendrites. One of the molecules that is known to induce dendritic growth belongs to a class of growth factors known as Bone Morphogenetic Proteins or BMPs.

My lab currently focuses on three main research projects :

 

Organ formation is a fascinating process during embryonic development. Among the many organs in the body, there is a preponderance of tubular organs, including stomach, intestine, heart and blood vessels, several glands, lungs in humans, trachea in lower vertebrates. I am also interested in understanding the cell biological processes underlying formation these organs as well as the genes that help differentiate cells forming one organ from cells forming another organ. I have been examining the evolutionary conservation of genes required for salivary gland formation in Drosophila.

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Brousseau Hall - 208

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