Seminar series: New insights into immune regulation of development during the embryonic period

This lecture is part of the CBR seminar series.

Extensive proliferation of stem cells and early progenitors is required to generate all of the complex cell types and tissues that comprise the embryo. This often results in the overproduction of cells that need to be removed. Highly dynamic phagocytic immune cells, such as macrophages, exist across all embryonic tissues and are responsible for surveying their surrounding environment to remove dead or dying cells and dispose of cellular debris in order to maintain homeostasis. An emerging body of literature from our lab and others now demonstrates that microglia, the resident macrophages and phagocytic immune cells of the central nervous system, play an important role during neurodevelopment, beyond phagocytosis and cell removal.

Considering recent advances in the microglia field highlight the importance of these cells to brain development, a fundamental question is whether these same developmental roles evolved in other regions of the embryo, including craniofacial tissues. Our research aims to address this question, focusing on the contribution of macrophages and osteoclasts to craniofacial morphogenesis in the developing embryo, and whether distinct populations of macrophages and/or osteoclasts signal to nearby cells during embryogenesis to contribute to normal craniofacial development.

Presented by

Dr. Jessica Rosin
Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, UBC Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC)

Registration

For information about CBR Seminar series events, visit the CBR website: CBR Seminars | Centre for Blood Research (ubc.ca). To receive Zoom access details for CBR Seminar series events, contact Dr. Parvin Bolourani (parvin@mail.ubc.ca).