Prof William Harris

Where does the nervous system come from in the embryo? How does it grow to the right size and shape? How do proliferating cells decide to stop dividing and to differentiate into neurons? How do they choose a particular cell type to become amongst a myriad of possible fates, and by what cellular mechanisms do these cells become properly polarised, branched, and integrated into the developing neural circuitry? We use the visual systems of Xenopus and zebrafish to address such questions because of their embryological, molecular and genetic accessibility to experimentation, combined with the possibility of in vivo time-lapse imaging.

The scope of Neural Development is to understand the mechanisms that are involved in the making of the nervous system. Authors are assured of high quality reviewing by top developmental neurobiologists. We can help you publish your research as it happens, including real time video material, and with no length restrictions.