Investigations into the Control of Neural Stem Cell Dynamics by the mTOR-Hmga1a axis.

Stem cells make new cells through becoming active and then dividing after which, one cell becomes a functional cell type and the other remains a stem cell. Stem cells then become dormant and so that they can divide again later. hmga1a was found in active stem cells and zebrafish with mutations in this gene show excessive stem cell divisions during development. Hmga1a mutants also have overactive signalling pathways that are important for regulating stem cell activation and division. Hmga1a aids in stem cell maintenance by reducing signalling levels needed for stem cell dormancy needed for life-long survival.