Beyond DNA: New Horizons for Chromosome Segregation Machinery in Wiring the Brain

The brain is made up of billions of neurons that form trillions of intricate connections. The precise mechanisms governing the formation of these neural networks during brain development remains a mystery. In my talk, I will delve into a surprising discovery related to the post-mitotic activities of the chromosome segregation machinery in brain wiring. We have uncovered a previously unknown function of highly conserved kinetochore proteins, typically known for linking DNA to microtubules during mitosis, in patterning the dendrites and axons. Our research suggests that kinetochore proteins play a pivotal role in orchestrating the actin cytoskeleton within developing neurons, emerging as key regulators that shape the neural networks.

Read more about Dr Cheerambathur's research