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Jeh-Ping (Serena)  Liu
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: Columbia University
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor of Neuroscience
Research Interests:
Spinal Cord Development and Motor Neuron Differentiation

Email Address: jl7nf@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
    • Research Description

    I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that control the generation of different neuronal types along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis of the spinal cord, using motor neurons as a model system. Spinal motor neurons in the ventral spinal cord extend axons to innervate peripheral muscle targets originating at equivalent A-P levels during embryonic development. I am studying the functions of the Hox-c cluster genes in order to understand how different motor neurons are generated along the A-P axis and how motor neuron identity affects axonal path finding and target selection. Different Hox-c cluster genes are expressed in distinct but overlapping domains along the A-P axis of the spinal cord. Using chick neural explants in an in vitro culture system, I have demonstrated that both paraxial mesoderm and tissues around Hensen's node initiate the patterned expression of different Hox-c genes in the spinal cord. The secreted molecules from these tissues that induce this patterning event include Fgf8, Gdf11, and retinoic acid. Currently, I am trying to identify genes acting down-stream of these signaling molecules that are required for patterned Hox-c gene expression. I am also addressing the functions of Hox-c genes in defining motor neuron identity and target selection by mis-expressing or removing Hox-c gene function specifically in the spinal motor neurons using transgenic approaches.

    Selected Publications
  • Liu, J-P. ”The function of Growth/differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) in rostrocaudal patterning of the developing spinal cord” (2006) Development 133:2865-2874.
  • Dasen, J.S., Liu, J-P., and Jessell, T.M. “Motor Neuron Columnar Fate Imposed by Sequential Phases of Hox-c Activity” (2003) Nature 425: 926-933.
  • Liu, J-P., Laufer, E. and Jessell, T.M. “Assigning the Positional Identity of Spinal Motor Neurons: Rostrocaudal Patterning of Hox-c Expression by FGFs, Gdf11, and Retinoids” (2001) Neuron 32: 997-1012.
  • Liu, J-P. and Jessell, T.M.“A Role for RhoB in the Delamination of Premigratory Neural Crest Cells from the dorsal Neural Tube” (1998) Development 125, 5055-5067.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 801392, MR-4, 5010, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-8647, +1 434-924-5081
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-4380

    Other Websites for this mentor:
    http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/neurosci/Faculty/Liu/liu.cfm

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