Li Li

E-mail: lli5@wisc.edu

Research Project:

During neural development, axons are guided to their targets by responses of their growth cones to the environmental cues.  In the mammalian central nervous system, axon branches instead of primary growth cones innervate their targets.  Axon branching plays an important role in the development.

My research will focus on what happens to cytoskeletal organization during branching and the relationship between Calcium signaling pathway and cytoskeletal reorganization.  I will use fluorescent staining technique to label cytoskeletons in cell culture and record the changes in the cytoskeleton.  Also brain slices and two-photon fluorescence technique will extend the work into an in vivo animal model.

Abstracts and Publications:

• Li, L., B.I. Hutchins, and K. Kalil. 2008. Wnt5a induces simultaneous cortical axon outgrowth and repulsive axon guidance through distinct signaling mechanisms. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr.
• Hutchins, B.I., L. Li, and K. Kalil. 2008. Wnt5a regulates cortical axon outgrowth and guidance through calcium signaling mechanisms. Nat. Grad. Stud. Res. Fest. Abstr.
• Li, L., and K. Kalil. 2007. Wnt5a signaling increases cortical axon outgrowth through calcium signaling pathways. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 33:16.
• Li, L. and K. Kalil. 2006. Wnt5a signaling increases cortical axon outgrowth but inhibits initiation of axon branching. Georgia World Congress Center Abstr.
• Xiang, S., and L. Li. 2002. Preliminary study on Quercus stewardii community in Dabie Mountain of Anhui province. J. Wuhan Bot. Res. 20(6): 477-480.