Research Group on Natural Computing

During mammalian central nervous system (CNS) development, an enor-
mous variety of cell types are generated. This cell diversity is due in part to asymmetrical
cell division. Asymmetrical segregation of Numb, a cell-determinant protein, can result
in the differential activation of the Notch pathway. The Notch pathway defines one of
the few fundamental signalling pathways that govern metazoan development. Notch sig-
nals link the fate decisions of one cell to those of its neighbours. Notch activation has a
profound effect on many aspects of nervous system development. Here we present a brief
overview of Notch signalling and reiterate some relevant questions relating to the Notch
pathway.