Cellular interactions in neuronal development; cell and developmental biology of olfaction and taste

A major focus in our laboratory is the development of cells in the nervous system. We are particularly interested in the molecular events associated with the initiation of axonal growth from the nerve cell and the developmental signals exchanged between differentiating cells.

For the nervous system to function properly, axons must grow and establish contacts with their appropriate target cells so that messages can be transmitted from cell to cell in a coordinated fashion. As our primary model system we use the nerve cells that respond to odor stimuli. The olfactory neurons are unique because if lost as a result of trauma or infection they can be replaced, even in adults. If we can understand how these cells develop and why they are so readily replaced, we may be able to learn how to bring about replacement of cells that have been lost in other parts of the nervous system.

e-mail Dr. Farbman
ph: 847.491.7039
fax: 847.491.5211

Selected References:

• Farbman A.I. (2004). Personal reflections on 40 years of research in the chemical senses.
Journal of Neurocytology. 33(6):579-89.

• Farbman A.I., Guagliardo N, Sollars SI, Hill DL. (2004). Each sensory nerve arising from the geniculate ganglion expresses a unique fingerprint of neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor genes. Journal of Neuroscience Research. 78(5):659-67.

• Farbman A.I., Brann JH, Rozenblat A, Rochlin MW, Weiler E, Bhattacharyya M. (2004). Developmental expression of neurotrophin receptor genes in rat geniculate ganglion neurons.
Journal of Neurocytology. 33(3):331-43.

• McMillan Carr V, Ring G, Youngentob SL, Schwob JE, Farbman A.I. (2004). Altered epithelial density and expansion of bulbar projections of a discrete HSP70 immunoreactive subpopulation of rat olfactory receptor neurons in reconstituting olfactory epithelium following exposure to methyl bromide. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 469(4):475-93.

• Weiler E, Farbman A.I. (2003). The septal organ of the rat during postnatal development.
Chemical Senses. 28(7):581-93.

• Farbman A.I. (2003). Neurotrophins and taste buds. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 459(1):9-14.

• Farbman, A.I. (2000) Cell Biology of Olfaction. In: Neurobiology of Taste and Smell, 2nd ed. Eds., T.E. Finger, D. Restrepo, W.L. Silver. Wiley Press, N.Y. 127-154.

• Farbman, A.I. and Ezeh, P.I. (2000) TGF-alpha and Olfactory Marker Protein enhance mitosis in rat olfactory epithelium in vivo. NeuroReport, 11:3655-3658.

• Rochlin, W., O'Connor, R., Giger, R.J., Verhaagen, J. and Farbman, A.I. (2000) Comparison of neurotrophin and repellent sensitivities of early embryonic geniculate and trigeminal axons. J. Comp. Neurol., 422:579-593.

• Suzuki, Y. and Farbman, A.I. (2000) Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-induced apoptosis in olfactory epithelium in vitro: possible roles of caspase 1 (ICE), caspase 2 (ICH-1) and caspase 3 (CPP32). Exp. Neurol., 165:35-45.

Other Links:

• link to a more detailed research description

• Northwestern University School of Speech

• A Tribute to Al Farbman, Journal of Neurocytology