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SUMMARY:The JNK Signaling Links the CNS Architectural Balance to Motor Act
 ivity in Drosophila Embryos
DTSTART:20180509T100000
DTEND:20180509T110000
DTSTAMP:20260428T033821Z
UID:efc78004263b7653ce121d33e091b4dd597dccbf9e2e826be584c81e
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Enrique Martín-Blanco\, Ph.D.\, Instituto de Biología Molecu
 lar de Barcelona\, CSIC\, Barcelona (E)\nBIOENGINEERING SEMINAR\n\nAbstrac
 t:\nIn higher organisms\, behavioral and cognitive functions are directed 
 and coordinated by neural networks. Both for vertebrates and for invertebr
 ates\, the structural organization of these networks appears to serve as a
  benchmark for sensory\, integrative and motor functions. While the molecu
 lar mechanisms underlying neural specification\, axon guidance\, dendrite 
 formation and synaptogenesis are in part known\, those that guide the stru
 ctural organization and functional integration of neural networks remain u
 ncharacterized. Two fundamental issues arise\, first\, how neural networks
  acquire their architecturally stable and mechanically balanced 3D structu
 re and second\, how their spatial and topographical organization influence
 s neural functions. Employing the Drosophila embryonic Ventral Nerve Cord 
 (VNC) as a model system\, we found that the VNC is organized in an iterate
 d robust pattern of structural elements (nodes or cross-pieces) conserved 
 throughout evolution dependent on the regulated attenuation of the JNK pat
 hway. The attainment of a correct geometrical and structural organization 
 is the result at a molecular level of a delicate balance of JNK signaling 
 activity in pioneer neurons that affects axonal fasciculation and VNC cond
 ensation.\n\nThe JNK pathway autonomously modulates mitochondrial transpor
 t\, axon integrity and dendrites formation and non-autonomously Fasciclin 
 2 expression. Last we found that the precise levels of JNK activity necess
 ary for correct VNC condensation are instrumental for the integration of e
 mbryonic motor circuitries. Altering JNK activity levels resulted in a fai
 lure in the coordination of muscle contractions and the inability to build
  the harmonic peristalsis essential for embryo hatching. Altogether\, our 
 data elucidates some of the essential molecular and cellular mechanisms un
 derpinning robustness in tissue architecture and highlights the links betw
 een structural/topographical and functional optimization in the CNS.\n\nBi
 o:\n\n	Research Investigator\, IBMB-CSIC\, Barcelona\, Spain\n	Postdoctora
 l Fellow\, UC San Francisco\, USA\n	Postdoctoral Fellow\, University of Ca
 mbridge\, UK\n	PhD\, IBMB-CSIC\, Barcelona\n	Undergrad\, Biology\, Univers
 idad Complutense de Madrid\, Spain\n
LOCATION:SV 1717 https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==SV%201717
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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