Méghane Sittewelle

Abstract Neural crest (NC) cells form a multipotent stem cell population specified during neurulation, which undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migrate extensively in the developing embryo, to generate numerous tissues and cell types including the craniofacial skeleton, the peripheral nervous system and pigment cells. The genetic and molecular details of NC specification are governed by a complex, yet still partially understood gene regulatory network (NC-GRN).

The biology of a cell is the sum of many highly dynamic processes, each orchestrated by a plethora of proteins and other molecules. Microscopy is an invaluable approach to spatially and temporally dissect the molecular details of these processes. Hundreds of genetically encoded imaging tools have been developed that allow cell scientists to determine the function of a protein of interest in the context of these dynamic processes.