A dendrite is a tree-like structure in neurons, which receives the incoming signal from adjacent neurons or from sensory stimuli. Dr. Yuh-Nung Jan is interested in understanding the molecular underpinnings that drive dendrite morphogenesis. His laboratory uses the fruit fly larvae as a model organism to study the development of dendritic arborization (da) neurons. Using these neurons, Jan and others have shown that the combinatorial expression of different transcription factors, such as Cut, as well as the interactions between dendrites and between dendrites and epithelial cells is what drives dendrite morphogenesis. In addition, Jan explains the role of Dscam isoforms in the regulation of dendrite-dendrite interactions for proper dendrite patterning.