Maja Zupancic, Mag.

Department(s): Department of Molecular Neurosciences (Center for Brain Research)
Position: PHD Student
Location: Spitalgasse 4
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Principle Investigator(s):

• Harkany, Tibor

Abstract:

The family of Onecut (OC) transcription factors includes members with highly conserved function and expression patterns across different animal species. Three homologues found in mammals (OC1, OC2 and OC3) are sequentially expressed during development with a partially overlapping pattern in both the peripheral and central nervous system. Based on a single cell sequencing study of the juvenile hypothalamus, we have identified OC3 as a marker of neuronal subsets. However, its spatiotemporal expression pattern and function remains unknown.

Techniques:

We will use fluorescent immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and transgenic reporter mice to characterize OC3-containing neuronal populations from early embryonic development onwards. OC3’s function and its effects on cellular differentiation will be tested with stereotaxic viral injections in Cre-driver mice to eliminate selected OC3-containing neurons in vivo, in parallel with in vitro overexpression experiments in different cell lines.

Selected Publications:

1. Romanov R, Tretiakov E, Kastriti M, Zupancic M, Häring M, Korchynska S, Popadin K, Benevento M, Rebernik P, Lallemend F, Nishimori K, Clotman F, Andrews W, Parnavelas J, Farlik M, Bock C, Adameyko I, Hökfelt T, Keimpema E, Harkany T (2020) Molecular design of hypothalamus development Nature, : 2020 May 6. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2266-0. Online ahead of print

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