The neural crest is a transient, multipotent population of cells that arises at the border of the developing nervous system. After closure of the neural tube, these cells undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to delaminate and migrate, often to distant locations in the embryo. Neural crest cells give rise to a diverse array of derivatives including neurons and glia of the peripheral nervous system, melanocytes, and bone and cartilage of the face. A gene regulatory network (GRN) controls the specification, delamination, migration, and differentiation of this fascinating cell type. With increasing technological advances, direct linkages within the neural crest GRN are being uncovered. The underlying circuitry is useful for understanding important topics such as reprogramming, evolution, and disease.

神经rest是在发育中的神经系统的边界出现的瞬时的，多能的细胞群。在神经管闭合后，这些细胞会经历上皮到间充质的过渡（EMT）分层和迁移，通常移至胚胎中的远处。神经rest细胞产生各种各样的衍生物，包括周围神经系统的神经元和神经胶质，黑素细胞以及面部的骨骼和软骨。基因调控网络（GRN）控制着这种迷人细胞类型的规格，脱层，迁移和分化。随着技术的进步，人们发现了神经within GRN内部的直接联系。底层电路对于理解重要主题（例如重编程，进化和疾病）很有用。