Neural Cell News Volume 10.37 | Sep 21 2016

TOP STORY

Neurons Feel the Force – Physical Interactions Control Brain Development

Researchers have identified a new mechanism controlling brain development: that neurons not only ‘smell’ chemicals in their environment, but also ‘feel’ their way through the developing brain. [Press release from University of Cambridge discussing online prepublication in Nature Neuroscience] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Dynamic GABAergic Afferent Modulation of AgRP Neurons

Scientists identified a highly selective inhibitory afferent to agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons that serves as a neural determinant of this rapid modulation. Specifically, GABAergic projections arising from the ventral compartment of the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus contribute to the preconsummatory modulation of arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus^AgRP neurons. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Neuregulin-1/ErbB4 Signaling Regulates Visual Cortical Plasticity

During a developmental critical period, the most dramatic consequence of occluding vision through one eye is a rapid loss of excitatory synaptic inputs to parvalbumin-expressing (PV) inhibitory neurons in visual cortex. Subsequent cortical disinhibition by reduced PV cell activity allows for excitatory ocular dominance plasticity. Investigators showed that brief monocular deprivation during the critical period downregulates neuregulin-1/ErbB4 signaling in PV neurons, causing retraction of excitatory inputs to PV neurons. [Neuron] Abstract

Structural Basis of Synaptic Vesicle Assembly Promoted by α-Synuclein

The authors report the analysis of wild-type α-synuclein (αS) and two mutational variants linked to familial Parkinson’s disease to describe the structural basis of a molecular mechanism enabling αS to induce the clustering of synaptic vesicles. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Reprogramming of Mouse Retinal Neurons and Standardized Quantification of Their Differentiation in 3D Retinal Cultures

Postmitotic differentiated neurons are among the most difficult cells to reprogram into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) because they have poor viability when cultured as dissociated cells. Other protocols have required the inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor to reprogram postmitotic neurons, which can result in tumorigenesis of the cells. The authors describe a method that does not require p53 inactivation but induces reprogramming in retinal cells from reprogrammable mice grown in aggregates with wild-type mouse retinal cells. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Striosome–Dendron Bouquets Highlight a Unique Striatonigral Circuit Targeting Dopamine-Containing Neurons

Investigators demonstrated that striatonigral fibers originating in striosomes form highly unusual bouquet-like arborizations that target bundles of ventrally extending dopamine-containing dendrites and clusters of their parent nigral cell bodies. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

ODZ1 Allows Glioblastoma to Sustain Invasiveness through a Myc-Dependent Transcriptional Upregulation of RhoA

The authors describe that ODZ1, a type II transmembrane protein involved in fetal brain development, plays a crucial role in the invasion of glioblastoma cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

Neuronal Nuclear Membrane Budding Occurs during a Developmental Window Modulated by Torsin Paralogs

Researchers found NE budding begins and resolves during a discrete neurodevelopmental window in torsinA null neurons in vivo. The developmental resolution of NE budding corresponds to increased torsinB protein, while ablating torsinB from torsinA null neurons prevents budding resolution and causes lethal neural dysfunction. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Parkin and PINK1 Patient iPSC-Derived Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Exhibit Mitochondrial Dysfunction and α-Synuclein Accumulation

Scientists demonstrated that the identification of disease-related phenotypes in Parkinson’s disease-patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived midbrain dopamine neurons depends on the type of differentiation protocol utilized. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Dopaminergic Neurons Differentiating from LRRK2 G2019S Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Show Early Neuritic Branching Defects

Investigators showed that neural stem cells bearing the G2019S mutation tend to differentiate less efficiently into dopaminergic neurons and that the latter exhibit significant branching defects as compared to their controls. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Neuronal Networks Provide Rapid Neuroprotection against Spreading Toxicity

Researchers used hippocampal neurons cultured in microfluidic devices to deliver a localized excitotoxic insult, they replicate secondary spreading toxicity and demonstrated that this process is driven by GluN2B receptors. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Novel Peripherally Derived Neural-Like Stem Cells as Therapeutic Carriers for Treating Glioblastomas

Scientists showed the translational significance of peripherally derived neural-like stem cells (NLSC) and their potential to migrate toward tumors and act as therapeutic carriers. They demonstrated that these NLSCs exhibit in vitro and in vivo glioblastoma tropism. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Topoisomerases and the Regulation of Neural Function

The author discusses the crucial research question of how topoisomerases regulate genome dynamics within the nervous system. [Nat Rev Neurosci] Abstract

Ocular Indicators of Alzheimer’s: Exploring Disease in the Retina

The authors review the converging evidence that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) manifests in the eye, especially in the retina, which can be imaged directly and non-invasively. Visual dysfunction in AD patients, traditionally attributed to well-documented cerebral pathology, can now be reexamined as a direct outcome of retinal abnormalities. [Acta Neuropathol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field.

NeuroDerm to Present ND0612 Data Demonstrating Ease of Use of Mini-Pump Delivery System

NeuroDerm Ltd. announced that the company will present previously unreported human factors data from a usability study focused on the interactions between Parkinson’s disease patients and the mini-pump device used to administer ND0612, the company’s continuous, subcutaneously delivered levodopa/carbidopa liquid formulation. [Press release from NeuroDerm Ltd. discussing research presented at the 4^th World Parkinson Congress, Portland] Press Release

Neural Analytics Inc. Receives $3 Million NIH Grant to Develop Brain Diagnostic & Monitoring Technologies to Accelerate Detection of Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke

Neural Analytics Inc. announced that the company has received a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support a clinical validation study of its portable brain monitoring platform. [Neural Analytics (Business Wire)] Press Release

Neuroscientists Receive Grant from NIMH to Develop State-Of-The-Art Genome Engineering Technologies

The Center for Behavioral Neuroscience at Georgia State University has received a two-year, exploratory grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to develop transformative genome engineering research tools. [Georgia State University] Press Release

American Brain Tumor Association Awards 16 Grants to Support Brain Tumor Research

The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) has announced the recipients of 16 grants that support cutting-edge brain tumor research. Through a highly-competitive review process, the ABTA is seeding the field with talented investigators who have the potential to change the understanding of the causes, effects, diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. [The American Brain Tumor Association (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

NFL Medical Adviser Discusses League’s Plans for New Neuroscience Research

The repetitive head trauma that is common in professional football is a risk factor for the degenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. [Science Insider] Editorial

Big Dreams Emerge for Big Brain Science Projects

The United Nations of Brain Projects met in a display of international amity and unbounded enthusiasm for the idea that transnational cooperation can, must, and will, at last, explain the brain. [Science Insider] Editorial

Titanic Clash over CRISPR Patents Turns Ugly

Much of the focus is on the teams centred at Berkeley and the Broad Institute, whose ‘foundational’ patents cover a wide swathe of CRISPR–Cas9 applications. Although Berkeley’s team filed for a patent first, the Broad opted for an expedited review process, and its patents were granted earlier. [Nature News] Editorial

Spain Joins Bandwagon for ‘Openness’ About Animal Research

The Spanish scientific community has pledged to become more transparent about animal research. Ninety research centers, universities, scientific societies, and companies around Spain have adopted a set of standards, launched by the Confederation of Spanish Scientific Societies, on how research organizations should open up communication channels about their use of laboratory animals. [Science Insider] Editorial

New Fellowship Aims to Increase Diversity in the Life Sciences

A new program aims to launch the careers of life scientists from underrepresented groups by providing up to 8 years of support, covering both the postdoctoral training and junior faculty stages. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program will award up to 15 recipients with $60,000 of salary support and $20,000 in flexible funds paid to their institutions for each of up to 4 years of postdoc training. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW The 2^nd International Conference on Aging and Disease (ICAD 2016)
September 30-October 2, 2017
Stanford, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Assistant/Associate Professor – Cell Biology and Neuroscience (Rutgers)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – In Vitro Assays and Image Analysis (University of Oxford)

International PhD Studentships (Medical Research Council)

Assistant Professor (Tenure) – Developmental Biology (Florida State University)

Assistant Professor – Neural Circuits (University of Pittsburgh)

Group Leader – Stem Cells and Aging (The University of Queensland)

Faculty – Developmental Neurobiology (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position/Academic Advisor – Neural Engineering (University of Freiburg)

Research Group Leader – Neuroscience (Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Sensorimotor Neuroscience (Western University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neural Substrates of Taste-Guided Behaviors (University of Illinois)

Faculty Positions – Neural Engineering (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Stanford University)

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