The Needleman Lab

Northwest Lab Building 469
52 Oxford Street Cambridge MA 02138

Neurons

The dramatic, tree-like morphology of neurons results from self-organization. While the in vivo development of neurons is guided by signals from their surroundings, even initially spherical, in vitro isolated neurons can protrude processes and establish their characteristic branching architecture. This neuronal maturation involves a complex feedback in which the microtubule cytoskeleton serves as tracks to traffic cargo, which modifies microtubule organization, which, in turn, impacts cargo trafficking. The growth, maintenance, and function of these extended cells also require proper spatiotemporal control of biosynthesis and material transport, as well as an adequate distribution of energetic fluxes. Defects in the self-organization of the cytoskeleton, biosynthesis, transport, and energetic fluxes underlie diverse neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

We are studying the growth and development of mammalian neurons in vitro. We seek to understand the biophysical basis of the organization of neuronal microtubules and biosynthetic and energetic fluxes, and how their interplay results in the establishment and maintenance of neuronal morphology. We aim to establish a quantitative framework to aid in explaining and predicting the behavior of neurons in vivo, and how they are perturbed in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.