The forming of the neural tube of a quail embryo

What you see here is one of the most important steps in a baby’s development - the formation of the neural tube which gives rise to the brain and spinal cord. This one shows that process in a baby quail. Since it’s difficult to examine human babies already implanted in their mother’s womb, IMB researchers at the White Lab use an unusual but innovative quail model to study development and rare birth defects. Quails develop in a very similar way to humans and because they grow inside an egg, we can use live imaging to analyse them. Dr Melanie White, PhD and colleagues look at quails with rare heart and neural tube defects to better understand what leads to birth defects and what we can do to prevent them. Birth defects happen when something goes wrong in a baby’s development in the womb and could be due to genes, exposure to a harmful substance or even certain health conditions of the mother. They can have a profound impact on the individual leading to lifelong disabilities and increased mortality. By understanding more about development and how birth defects form, we can find ways to prevent them. Visit our website: