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 Associate Professor
Department of Neuroscience and
Center for Molecular Neurobiology
Ph.D.: Case Western Reserve University
Post-doctoral Training: University of Oregon
Center for Molecular Neurobiology
The Ohio State University
105 Rightmire Hall
1060 Carmack Road
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-5111
Fax: 614-292-5379
E-mail:Henion.1@osu.edu
Zebrafish Facility website: http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~akchalla/zebrafish/
Link to NLM & NIH PubMed publications list for Paul Henion (last 10 years)
Research Area:
- Genetic regulation of embryonic cell diversification
- Cell fate specification, proliferation, survival and differentiation
Research Description:
The mechanisms that regulate the generation of specialized cells from early embryonic precursor populations are a central issue in developmental biology. For development to succeed, specialized cell types must be generated at the right times, in correct numbers and in appropriate embryonic locations. We study the developmental regulation of cell diversification using the neural crest of zebrafish embryos. The neural crest is a seemingly homogeneous embryonic cell population that gives rise to diverse specialized cell types including peripheral neurons, glial cells, pigment cells and elements of the craniofacial skeleton. We are interested in learning when and how these cell fates are specified, the identity of specified precursor cells, and how their survival, proliferation and overt differentiation are regulated during development. To do so, we utilize a variety of cellular, molecular and genetic techniques to study neural crest development in wild-type and mutant zebrafish. We ultimately hope to elucidate the genetic networks that control neural crest diversification.
 Figure 1. Neural crest cells (blue) in a 16 somite stage zebrafish embryo. Lateral view, anterior to the left.
Figure 2. Genetic interactions between the transcription factors foxd3 (sym1) and tfap2a (ap2 2MO) regulate chromatophore development in zebrafish.
Techniques and Models:
- Various cellular, molecular and genetic techniques
- Wild-type and mutant zebrafish
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