2007 Seed Grant
Kamal Sharma, Ph.D.
The University of Chicago
Dr. Sharma’s long-term goal is to use genetic markers to identify neurons that regulate motor functions and transgenic mouse models to understand their contribution to the rhythmic motor output. Dr. Sharma and his lab have identified a class of excitatory neurons located in the brainstem reticular formation and the ventral spinal cord that express homeodomain factor Chx10. Geneticablation of these neurons in mice has revealed two distinct functions. Chx10 neurons in the brainstem regulate the frequency and stability of the respiratory rhythm generated in the Prs-Botzinqer complex (PSC). Chx10 neurons in the spinal cord regulate the locomotor network activity.
It is known that neurons in the hindbrain regulate breathing, walking and running. It is thought that many motor related diseases affect the physiology of these neurons. Dr. Sharma’s goal is to identify genetic markers for such neurons and to use transgenic and electrophysiological methods to define their function.
