Brain development is a finely orchestrated process. Transient abnormalities, such as delayed or excessive growth of axons and dendrites in neurons can have a prolonged impact in the formation of functional connections. Early postnatal stages are critical periods, in which both intrinsic genetic programs and sensory experience participate in the formation and refinement of functional circuitry. My lab uses mouse olfactory system as a model to study the molecular mechanisms of neuronal network formation and plasticity. Using a combination of cell biological, genetic and molecular biological approaches, we are focused on studying molecules that regulate olfactory sensory axon growth and guidance, mitral cell dendritic differentiation and olfactory circuitry formation.