prdm1a and olig4 act downstream of Notch signaling to regulate cell fate at the neural plate border.

The zinc finger domain transcription factor prdm1a plays an integral role in the development of the neural plate border cell fates, including neural crest cells and Rohon-Beard (RB) sensory neurons. However, the mechanisms underlying prdm1a function in cell fate specification is unknown. Here, we test more directly how prdm1a functions in this cell fate decision.

A uniaxial bioMEMS device for imaging single cell response during quantitative force-displacement measurements.

A microfabricated device has been developed for imaging of a single, adherent cell while quantifying force under an applied displacement. The device works in a fashion similar to that of a displacement-controlled uniaxial tensile machine. The device was calibrated using a tipless atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever and shows excellent agreement with the calculated spring constant.