MECHANISMS OF NORMAL AND ABNORMAL NEURULATION - EVIDENCE FROM EMBRYO CULTURE STUDIES

The method of whole embryo culture has been used extensively in analyz ing the mechanisms underlying formation of the mammalian neural tube. These studies have provided insight into the cell lineage of the vario us tissues that comprise the neurulation stage embryo, the role of mic rofilaments, extracellular matrix and cell proliferation in the morpho genetic events of neural tube closure and the action of specific genes and gene products in establishment of the nervous system. This inform ation is of considerable importance not only as a means of elucidating the processes of normal embryogenesis but also to shed light on the p athogenesis of important human birth defects.