The focus of my thesis is to use bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic embryonic stem cells that express GFP under promoters that are specific to the mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neuron lineage in order to purify and characterize cells that are ideal for grafting in mouse models of Parkinsons disease. I also have a joint project with the Rutishauser lab involving the use of polysialic acid - neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) to increase neuronal integration into the lesion/graft site of the CNS.