Dr Rick Livesey

Interests

A fundamental question in neural stem cell biology is how distinct classes of neurons are generated at specific places and times in the nervous system in order for them to be incorporated correctly into neuronal circuits. We study this question in the mammal-specific region of the forebrain, the neocortex. Neurons in the cortex are organized in two ways: they belong to one of six layers of neurons, each of which is generated in a stereotyped order, and they belong to a discrete piece or area of the cortex that is dedicated to a single function such as visual processing or motor control. The majority of the research in the lab centers on the biology of neocortical stem cells and in particular how neocortical stem cells produce layer-specific neurons in order (the timing problem) and for the correct area (the patterning problem). The lab is also studying some of the clinical consequences of our research, particularly in the aetiology and pathogenesis of autistic spectrum conditions.

GFP-expressing neurons migrating in a cortical slice
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Research Focus

Equipment

Cell culture

Chromatin-IP/location analysis

Confocal microscopy

Cortical electroporation

Immunohistochemistry

Microarrays

Neocortical explant culture