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Gabriel Corfas, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Neurology

Kirby Neurbiology Center
Children's Hospital
Center for Life Science Building
3 Blackfan Circle
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: 617-919-2200
Fax: 617-919-2772
Email: gabriel.corfas@Childrens.harvard.edu
Lab Web site: The Corfas Lab

Neuron-glia interactions play critical roles in several aspects of nervous system development, including neuronal migration, neuronal and glial differentiation and survival, and the formation and function of synapses. We are primarily interested in understanding the molecular signals that regulate neuron-glia interactions and their roles. To this end, we are using molecular and cellular biological techniques, as well as genetically modified mice.

Part of our work focuses on the growth factor neuregulin (NRG) and its erbB receptors, key mediators of neuron-glia interactions. We have found that these molecules mediate interactions between migrating neurons and the radial glial fibers along which they migrate during the development of the central nervous system, and between several types of glia and neurons in the adult nervous system.

 

Selected References:

  • Rio C, Rieff HI, Qi P, Khurana TS and Corfas G (1997) Neuregulin and erbB receptors play a critical role in neuronal migration. Neuron 19: 39 - 50.
  • Mason HA, Ito S and Corfas G (2001) Extracellular signals that regulate the tangential migration of olfactory bulb neuronal precursors: inducers, inhibitors and repellents. J. Neurosci. 21: 7654-7663.
  • Patten BA, Peyrin JM, Weinmaster G and Corfas G (2003) Sequential signaling through Notch1 and erbB receptors mediate radial glia differentiation J. Neurosci. 23: 6132-6140.
  • Chen S, Rio C, Ji RR, Dikkes P, Coggeshall RE, Woolf CJ and Corfas G (2003) Disruption of ErbB receptor signaling in adult non-myelinating Schwann cells causes progressive sensory loss. Nature Neuroscience 6: 1186-1193.
  • Stankovic K, Rio C, Xia A, Sugawara M, Adams JC, Liberman MC and Corfas G (2004) Survival of Adult Spiral Ganglion Neurons Requires erbB Receptor Signaling in the Inner Ear J. Neurosci. 24: 8651-8661.

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