ASSIGNMENT
Researchers have discovered that they can recapitulate the differentiation of neurons from the central nervous system from human inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by sequential treatment with discreet signaling molecules. This creates a new experimental model to study the signaling events required for the development of this tissue. It can also be used to investigate the molecular underpinnings for motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Using Sances et al 2016.pdf as a resource please answer the following questions.
Answer the following questions.
Name a signaling molecule that has been shown to induce a caudal neuronal phenotype in the neural tube (Sances et al., 2016 pg 2 and Figures 1 and 2). (1 point)
Name a signaling molecule that has been shown to induce the ventralization of neurons in the neural tube (Sances et al., 2016 pg 2 and Figures 1 and 2). (1 point)
Describe a method used by researchers to determine the degree of motor neuron maturations (Sances et al., 2016, pg 7). (2 points)
The formation of corticospinal motor neuron from sub-cerebral projection neurons requires the expression of which transcription factor (Sances et al., 2016, pg 10-11). (2 point)
A mutation in the Chromosome 9 Open Reading Frame 72 (C9Orf72) gene has been identified as the most common form of familial ALS.
What have researchers learned by making a mutation of C9Orf72 in human PSC-derived motor neurons in culture (Sances et al., 2016, pg 14)? (4 points)
