embryology

summary

We are researching how cells move (migrate) and mature (differentiate) in normal early development, and how failures cause birth defects. We are also interested in how cells move pathologically in invasive cancers.

The particular questions we are pursuing are: How do cells start moving? How is cell movement controlled in speed? Do cells know where to go, and if so, how? How do cells recognise their destination and how do they stop moving? Can sessile cells be re-activated to move, and if so how, and can this be controlled? How do cells decide on their type of maturation? Can this be controlled?

To answer these questions we use techniques from experimental embryology to cell and molecular biology to mathematical modelling.

group leader(s)

  Dr Donald Newgreen
  Embryology
  Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  Royal Children's Hospital
  Flemington Road
  Parkville Victoria 3052

  T +61 3 8341 6276
  F +61 3 9387 1349
  E don.newgreen@mcri.edu.au

  group leader biography

current research projects

Project 1: Molecular and cellular controls of the early phases of neural crest cell migration to and within the gastro-intestinal tract, which results in the formation of the enteric (intestinal) nervous system. A short-fall in these processes results in Hirschsprung Disease, a birth defect in which there is a deficit in the enteric nervous system resulting in a serious failure of normal intestinal function.

Project 2: Exploration of a novel cell therapy approach to the treatment of Hirschsprung Disease. Neural crest stem cell transplantation into Hirschsprung Disease model mice and lineage reprogramming of cells to a neural crest fate (Murdoch Childrens Research Institute/ University of Melbourne).

Project 3: Isolation of human neural crest stem/progenitor cells from human intestinal surgical tissue, and testing of the migration and differentiation ability of these cells in human aneuronal intestinal muscle from Hirschsprung Disease patients, using grafts into immunocompromised mice as hosts.

Project 4: Mathematical modelling (systems biology) of the early phases of neural crest cell migration to and within the gastro-intestinal tract, which results in the formation of the enteric (intestinal) nervous system (Murdoch Childrens Research Institute/ University of Melbourne).

team members

• Ryo Hotta - Research Associate
• Sami Ighaniyan - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
• Sophie Mcconnell - VISITOR & VOLUNTEERS
• Ben Rollo - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• Johanna Simkin - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
• Lincon Stamp - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
• Dong Zhang - Research Assistant
• Tania Zheng - Honours Student (UoM Medicine)

publications

• Azar WJ., Azar SH., Higgins S., Hu JF., Hoffman AR., Newgreen DF., Werther GA., Russo VC. IGFBP-2 Enhances VEGF Gene Promoter Activity and Consequent Promotion of Angiogenesis by Neuroblastoma Cells. ENDOCRINOLOGY 152 (9) (2011) PubMed
• Hackett-Jones EJ., Landman KA., Newgreen DF., Zhang DC. On the role of differential adhesion in gangliogenesis in the enteric nervous system. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY 287 : 148 - 159(2011) PubMed
• Landman KA., Fernando AE., Zhang DC., Newgreen DF. Building stable chains with motile agents: Insights into the morphology of enteric neural crest cell migration. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY 276 (1) : 250 - 268(2011) PubMed
• Nation T., Buraundi S., Balic A., Southwell B., Newgreen D., Hutson J. Androgen and estrogen receptor expression in the spinal segments of the genitofemoral nerve during testicular descent. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 46 (8) : 1539 - 1543(2011) PubMed
• Nation TR., Buraundi S., Balic A., Farmer PJ., Newgreen D., Southwell BR., Hutson JM. The effect of flutamide on expression of androgen and estrogen receptors in the gubernaculum and surrounding structures during testicular descent. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 46 : 2358 - 2362(2011) PubMed
• Nation TR., Buraundi S., Farmer PJ., Balic A., Newgreen D., Southwell BR., Hutson JM. Development of the Gubernaculum During Testicular Descent in the Rat. ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 294 (7) : 1249 - 1260(2011) PubMed

competitive funding

National Health & Medical Research Council

collaborations & affiliations

Prof KA Landman, Dept. Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne.
Dr HL Young, Dept. Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne.
Prof. EW Thompson, St Vincent's Institute,  University of Melbourne.
Prof M Howard, Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo Health Sciences Campus, Toledo, Ohio, USA
Dr S Dufour, Compartimentation et Dynamique Cellulaires, Institut Curie, Paris, France.