Berta Alsina

Group website

Research Outline

Our laboratory works in the regulation of tissue remodelling, growth control and cell fate acquisition of during sensory development. We focus on the development of the inner ear to understand the signals and cellular events that lead to the senses of hearing and balance. Which signals allow the precise pattern of sensory neurons and hair cells, how is patterning coupled with morphogenesis for a functional organ and which developmental genes lead to deafness? 

By combining high-resolution imaging technologies with genetic, pharmacological and mechanical perturbations in zebrafish we can quantify dynamical cellular and molecular changes over tissues and manipulate them.

 

Research Lines

  • Neurovascular interactions in the inner ear

We have revealed that signals from the cranial vasculature are essential for the development of the statoacoustic (SAG) ganglia. In particular, the head vasculature has two and sequential roles in sensory development.

  • Cell behaviours in the SAG

By single-cell labeling and cell tracking we are describing the cell migration trajectories of neuronal sensory cells, together with the description of their cell shape changes. By analyzing crispr mutants of SAG expressing genes we will uncover possible neuron-neuron cell communication genes.

  • Spatial transcriptomics and virtual atlas of the SAG

We will generate a detailed transcriptomic map of the SAG in 3D though laser capture microdissection and data will be plotted over a virtual 3D map of the inner ear obtained after digitalization of light-sheet microscopy 3D images of the inner ear niche.

 

Team during 2017-18

  • Postdocs: Esteban Hoijman
  • PhD students: Aitor Bañón, Laura Taberner
  • Technicians: Sara Calatayud/ Marta Linares (part time)
     

Selected publications 2017-18

  • Taberner L, Bañón A, Alsina B. (2018). Anatomical map of the cranial vasculature and sensory ganglia. J Anat. 232(3):431-439.

  • Hoijman E, Fargas L, Blader P and Alsina B (2017). Pioneer neurog1 expressing cells ingress into the otic epithelium and instruct neuronal specification. eLife. 6. pii: e25543.

     

Transgenic fish revealing the development of head vasculature and sensory neurons.