Fen-Biao Gao, Ph.D.
	Understanding Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases
	Email: fgao@gladstone.ucsf.edu Websites: Gao Lab
Selected Publications | Complete Publications

The loss of morphological and functional integrity of individual neurons plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurological disorders. The aim of our research is to understand the roles of microRNAs in controlling various aspects of neuronal development and how the mutations in genes implicated in neurological disorders affect neuronal development and function. We use a combination of behavioral, genetic, and molecular approaches to address these questions in different experimental systems, including human embryonic stem cells.

Selected Publications

Lee A, Li W, Xu K, Bogert BA, Su K, Gao F-B. (2003). Control of dendritic development by the Drosophila fragile X¬-related gene involves the small GTPase Rac1. Development 130:5543-5552.

Li W, Wang F, Menut L, Gao F-B. (2004). BTB/POZ-zinc finger protein Abrupt regulates dendritic branching in a neuronal subtype-specific and dosage-dependent manner. Neuron 43:823-834.

Sweeney NT, Brenman JE, Jan YN, Gao F-B. (2006). The coiled-coil protein Shrub controls neuronal morphogenesis in Drosophila. Curr. Biol. 16:1006-1011.

Li Y*, Wang F*, Lee J-A, Gao F-B. (2006). MicroRNA-9a ensures the precise specification of sensory organ precursors in Drosophila. Genes Dev. 20:2793-2805.

Information last updated April 2007