# Progressive acquisition of novel neural crest derivatives along the neural axis during vertebrate evolution

> **NIH NIH R35** · CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2024 · $230,685

## Abstract

The neural crest is a uniquely vertebrate cell type that is thought to have played an
important role in vertebrate evolution by forming peripheral ganglia and jaws, thus facilitating
predation and expansion of the brain. In the parent grant, we are testing the hypothesis that
there was progressive expansion of neural crest derivatives during the course of vertebrate
evolution. As case in point, lamprey lack a vagal neural crest that in gnathostomes forms the
enteric nervous system. To further understand the evolution of the enteric nervous system in
basal vertebrates, in this supplement we propose to examine the complexity of the lamprey ENS
in comparison to other vertebrates to gain insight into elaboration of the enteric nervous system
in the vertebrate lineage. To explore this, we propose to transcriptionally profile lamprey ENS
both by single cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics to enable comparison with the ENS of
jawed vertebrates. The results promise to elucidate how new cell types arose during vertebrate
evolution under the umbrella of the neural crest.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10980380
- **Project number:** 3R35NS111564-06S1
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Marianne Bronner
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $230,685
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-05-15 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10980380

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10980380, Progressive acquisition of novel neural crest derivatives along the neural axis during vertebrate evolution (3R35NS111564-06S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10980380. Licensed CC0.

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