Our group is interested in how neuronal diversity is generated during embryonic development. In particular, we study the mechanisms of intercellular communication and gene regulation, which control neuronal differentiation in a distinct region of the vertebrate brain -  the midbrain.

The midbrain contains neurons, such as dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons, which control several aspects of behavior, are involved in psychiatric disease and are targets of medical treatments as well as drugs of abuse.  However, their molecular diversity and regulation of their development from neuroepithelial stem cells are poorly understood. We are addressing these questions using a combination of genetic and molecular approaches.