How to rule a gene galaxy: A lesson from developing neurons

Monday, July 6, 2015 - 17:30 in Biology & Nature

This image shows TTP activation of neuronal gene expression. The human organism contains hundreds of distinct cell types that often differ from their neighbours in shape and function. To acquire and maintain its characteristic features, each cell type must express a unique subset of genes. Neurons, the functional units of our brain, develop through differentiation of neuronal precursors, a process that depends on coordinated activation of hundreds and possibly thousands of neuron-specific genes.