Connectomics, the Final Frontier

Scott W. Emmons

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

How the synaptic connections in the nervous system are genetically encoded and formed during development remains an unsolved problem. The known connectivity of the nervous system of the nematode C. elegans provides an opportunity to search for the genes involved. The circuits for male mating behavior form a complex neural network that would seem to require a large family of molecular cell labels for pre- and postsynaptic cell recognition. It is suggested that a combinatorial code of neural cell adhesion proteins specifying the network of connections may be discovered by comparing the expression patterns of candidate genes with the pattern of connections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEssays on Developmental Biology, Part A, 2016
EditorsPaul M. Wassarman
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages315-330
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9780128029565
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Publication series

NameCurrent Topics in Developmental Biology
Volume116
ISSN (Print)0070-2153

Keywords

  • C. elegans
  • Combinatorial code
  • Nervous system
  • Nervous system development
  • Neural cell adhesion protein
  • Neural network
  • Synapse
  • Synaptic connectivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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