The evolution of hearing and balance.

New genetic tools have allowed researchers to compare how the brainstem auditory and vestibular nuclei develop in embryonic chicks and mice.

Discordant Responses to MAPK Pathway Stimulation Include Axonal Growths in Adult Photoreceptors.

Wallenda (WND) is the member of a conserved family of dual leucine-zipper kinases (DLK) active in both neuronal regeneration and degeneration. We examined the role of WND over-expression on sensory neuron morphology by driving WND in multiple subtypes of photoreceptors. WND overexpression under control of the pan-retinal GAL4 driver GMR causes multiple photoreceptor defects including cell death, rhabdomere degeneration, and axonal sprouting.