How do axons sense molecular gradients and use these to find their correct targets? We are addressing this question using an interdisciplinary approach. We have developed a novel technology for generating precisely controlled molecular gradients in collagen gels, and are using it to study the behavior of developing and regenerating axons. In addition we are also constructing theoretical models of gradient sensing, and comparing the results directly with those from our assay.

Recent Publications

Mortimer, D., Dayan, P., Burrage, K. & Goodhill, G.J. (2009). Optimizing chemotaxis by measuring unbound-bound transitions. Physica D, in press.

Mortimer D, Feldner J, Vaughan T, Vetter I, Pujic Z, Rosoff WJ, Burrage K, Dayan P, Richards LJ, Goodhill GJ (2009). A Bayesian model predicts the response of axons to molecular gradients. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 106, 10296-10301. PDF

Mortimer, D., Fothergill, T., Pujic, Z., Richards, L.J. & Goodhill, G.J. (2008). Growth Cone Chemotaxis. Trends in Neurosciences, 31, 90-98. PDF

Pujic, Z., Giacomantonio, C.E., Unni, D., Rosoff, W.J. & Goodhill, G.J. (2008). Analysis of the growth cone turning assay for studying axon guidance. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 170, 220-228. PDF

Pujic, Z., Mortimer, D., Feldner, J. & Goodhill, G.J. (2009). Assays for Eukaryotic Cell Chemotaxis. Combinatorial Chemistry and High-throughput Screening, 12, 580-588. PDF

Goodhill, G.J. & Xu, J. (2005). The development of retinotectal maps: a review of models based on molecular gradients. Network, 16, 5-34. PDF

Xu, J., Rosoff, W.J., Urbach, J,S. & Goodhill, G.J. (2005). Adaptation is not required to explain the long-term response of axons to molecular gradients. Development, 132, 4545-4552. PDF

Rosoff, W.J, McAllister, R.G., Esrick, M.A., Goodhill, G.J. & Urbach, J.S. (2005). Generating controlled molecular gradients in 3D gels. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 91, 754-759. PDF

Rosoff, W.J., Urbach, J.S., Esrick, M., McAllister, R.G. Richards, L.J. & Goodhill, G.J. (2004). A new chemotaxis assay shows the extreme sensitivity of axons to molecular gradients. Nature Neuroscience, 7, 678-682. PDF News and Views

Goodhill, G.J., Gu, M. & Urbach, J.S. (2004). Predicting axonal response to molecular gradients with a computational model of filopodial dynamics. Neural Computation, 16, 2221-2243. PDF

Goodhill, G.J. (2003). A theoretical model of axon guidance by the Robo code. Neural Computation, 15, 549-564. PDF F1000 review

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