Tonotopic innervation: connecting sensory cells in the ear to
their central nervous system targets 1st Supervisor: Professor
Andrea Streit 2nd Supervisor: Dr Robert Knight Description of
project In the ear, sensory hair cells relay sound information
to the central nervous system; they transform mechanical
stimulation into electrical signals that are transmitted to the
brain via the auditory nerve. Along the cochlea, hair cells are
sensitive to different frequencies and the neurons that
innervate them replicate this pattern in the auditory nucleus of
the brain. This tonotopic innervation is crucial for the brain
to interpret incoming sound. How are these connections set up?
This project explores the molecular mechanisms that establish
tonotopic innervation. First, the student will map the axonal
projections using chick in vivo labelling and zebrafish
transgenic lines. Second, s/he will identify the molecular cues
that guide axons to their targets combining molecular approaches
with life imaging techniques. Dur