My lab's main research interest is to understand molecular mechanisms of nervous system development in rodent model systems. We use DNA microarrays as a tool to identify genes that are developmentally regulated during mouse brain development. Candidate genes are characterized with molecular and cellular techniques and transgenic mice. In particular, my lab is interested in two areas: neural proliferation and synapse development. We have identified several candidate molecules that increase in gene expression during the period of neural proliferation or synapse formation and we are currently studying the role of two molecules (Mad3 and SynDIG1) in these processes.

Selected Publications

Barisone GA, Yun JS, and Diaz E (2008) From cellellar proliferation to tumorigenesis: novel insights into the role of Mad3 [invited Extra-View], Cell Cycle, 7: 423-7. Epub 2007 Dec 6.

Yun JS, Rust JM, Ishimaru T, and Diaz E (2007) A novel role for the Mad family member Mad3 in cerebellar granule neuron precursor proliferation, , Mol. Cell. Biol. 27: 8178-8189. Epub 2007 Sep 24.

Diaz E (2006) A functional genomics guide to the galaxy of neuronal cell types [News & Views article]. Nat. Neurosci. 9: 10-12.

Diaz E, Ge Y, Yang YH, Loh KC, Serafini TA, Okazaki Y, Hayashizaki Y, Speed TP, Ngai J and Scheiffele P. (2002) Molecular analysis of gene expression in the developing pontocerebellar projection system. Neuron 36, 417-434.

Diaz E, Yang YH, Ferreira T, Loh KC, Okazaki Y, Hayashizaki Y, Tessier-Lavigne M, Speed TP and Ngai J (2003) Analysis of gene expression in the developing mouse retina, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100, 5491-5496.

Diaz E and Pfeffer SR (1998) TIP47: A cargo selection device for mannose 6-phosphate receptor trafficking. Cell 93, 433-443.

Diaz E, Schimmoller F and Pfeffer SR (1997) A novel Rab9 effector required for endosome-to-TGN transport. J. Cell Biol. 138, 283-290.

See Also: Diaz lab webpage