Developmental and Cell Biology Labs
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ARORA LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Drosophila development: We are interested in understanding the role of two TGF-ß related genes, screw (scw) and decapentaplegic (dpp), in specifying cell fate during embryonic development in the fruitfly Drosophila. Since the TGF-ß signaling pathway is evolutionarily conserved, findings from a genetically tractable organisms like Drosophila can provide insights into the mechanism of action of TGF-ß proteins in other organisms, including humans. We have cloned the scw gene and shown that although scw transcripts are ubiquitously expressed, the protein is only required in dorsal cells. It is likely that Scw may be activated in a subset of the cells where it is expressed because of its interaction with other genes involved in patterning the embryo. We are using molecular genetic tools and biochemical techniques to test how Scw activity is modulated post-translationally. |
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BARDWELL LAB |
Cell Signaling:
Signal transduction networks are a crucial part of the circuitry by which a cell regulates and coordinates its growth and developmental program, and its response to the external environment. Faulty or malfunctioning signaling pathways lie at the heart of the molecular pathology of many diseases, including cancer. The signaling components we study have been highly conserved through evolution, and are thus of great importance to basic biology, as well as medicine |
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BALDI LAB |
Bioinformatics; Computational Biology: |
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BERNS LAB Michael Berns, Ph.D.(Profile) 1002 Health Sciences Road E Irvine, CA 92697-1475 Tel: (949) Fax: (949) mwberns@uci.edu |
Laser Microsurgery: |
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BLUMBERG LAB |
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BODE LAB |
Pattern formation; Stem Cells: Evidence is rapidly accumulating that the same genes are used by different organisms to regulate similar developmental processes. This raises the issue of the evolution of developmental mechanisms. Which mechanisms arose early and were conserved through evolution, and which arose later? Since coelenterates, of which hydra is a member, arose very early in metazoan evolution, the organism is strategically placed to examine this issue. Further, the processes governing pattern formation and cell fate determination are well understood in hydra at a tissue and cellular level. Because the body plan is simple, the patterning processes are few, and there is a reasonable chance of understanding the entire circuitry required underlying the pattern forming events in hydra in terms of signals and cell response genes. Similarly the cell-cell interactions governing stem cells that give rise to several differentiation products is well-understood. The current emphasis is on understanding the commitment of a stem cell to a particular cell fate. With the assumption that fundamental regulatory elements of development arose early in metazoan evolution, we are focusing on classes of transcription factors and signals known to play similar roles in higher metazoans. A number of homeobox genes have been isolated and their role in hydra patterning and cell fate processes are being characterized. |
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BRACHMANN LAB |
Spatial and molecular regulation of developmental apoptosis: |
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BRYANT LAB |
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BRYANT & GARDINER LAB |
Limb development and generation: At present our research is focussed on a severely affected frog, the mink frog, from a site in Minnesota. We have found that the anatomy of the deformed frogs is very predictable. One of the most consistent abnormalities is also one that is almost unique to deformed frogs. Any of the limb long bones can be affected and can become folded into bony triangles: |
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CALOF LAB |
Neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation: My laboratory's research efforts are concentrated on understanding the nature and the targets of the signals that regulate the production of neurons by neuronal progenitor cells, during development and regeneration of the nervous system. To study these issues, we concentrate primarily on one system, in which the behavior of neuronal progenitor cells can be observed and manipulated easily: the olfactory epithelium (OE) of the mouse. We study the molecular regulation of neurogenesis and neuronal regeneration using a variety of approaches, including tissue culture, molecular biology, and the generation and analysis of transgenic mice. |
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CHO LAB |
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CIVELLI LAB |
Functional genomics, molecular neurobiology, G protein-coupled receptor, neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, orphan receptor: The main focus of our research aims at furthering our understanding of the diversity of brain function by identifying and studying novel molecules which mediate synaptic transmission. Synaptic transmission is the mechanism which underlies the biochemical reactions that make brain functions and relies on the recognition of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides by their specific receptors. From genomic analyses we evaluate that we now know only a portion of all the transmitters that direct brain function. Our aim is to isolate novel neurotransmitters or neuropeptides and to study their physiological implications. |
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EDINGER LAB Aimee Edinger, VMD, Ph.D. 2128 Natural Sciences Il Irvine, CA 92697-2300 (949) 824-1921 aedinger@uci.edu Lab: 3302C Natural Sciences 1 Tel: (949) 824-4909 |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Apoptosis, cancer, intracellular trafficking: The Edinger Lab studies how cell growth and survival is regulated by growth factors at the level of nutrient transporter expression. This research has important implications for cancer biology and treatment. |
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GROSS LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Laser tweezers; Regulation of molecular motors: |
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HOFFMANN LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Plant cell development: |
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HUANG LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Mass spectrometry/Proteomics |
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HUANG LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Molecular basis of genetic diseases in human: The primary interests of Huang Lab are in the molecular basis of genetic diseases in humans. Currently, the Lab is focusing on Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS, Heart-Hand syndrome), an autosomal dominant condition with congenital cardiac defects and forelimb anomalies. This condition is caused by mutation of TBX5. We are employing clinical and basic research approaches to understand the intracellular pathway of TBX5, molecular basis of phenotypic variations and its gene regulation. |
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KNAUER LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Human santithrombins and related serine protease inhibitors: The research in my laboratory focuses on the structure and function of the super-gene family of serine protease inhibitors (SERPINS). Members of this gene family regulate several biological processes including cell division and migration, neurite extension, tumor cell metastasis, and blood coagulation. The SERPINS act as specific inhibitors of cell-surface and extracellular matrix serine proteases that participate in cascade mechanisms that participate in these biological processes. A unique feature of the SERPINS is the up-regulation of their anti-protease activity by specific glycosaminoglycans found in the extracellular matrix and in soluble forms. This activation, which is in the order of 10,000-fold, is mediated by a conformational change in the SERPIN induced by the binding of the glycosaminoglycan to a specific domain within the protein. The ultimate goal of my research is to understand the mechanism of this activation at the protein level. |
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KRASSNER LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: |
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LANDER LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Cell signaling; Extracellular matrix: My lab is interested in how cells communicate with each other to coordinate the complex behaviors that underlie development and regeneration. Our research focuses on this problem at several levels, from investigating growth factor signaling, to elucidating extracellular matrix structure and function, to understanding the workings of neuronal guidance molecules. Our work touches on the fields of Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Neurobiology and Cancer Biology. We employ a range of techniques from cell culture, to binding studies, to in vitro mutagenesis, to the generation and analysis of transgenic and "knockout" mice. |
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LEE LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Cell cycle and molecular genetics studies of breast c ancer: |
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LIN LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Cytoskeleton, mortality and signaling: |
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LUDERER LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Cytoskeleton, mortality and signaling: Many known reproductive toxicants are conjugated by the tripeptide glutathione (GSH), and GSH is also a critical detoxification mechanism for reactive oxygen species. The ovary contains moderate concentrations of glutathione, and post-ovulatory oocytes contain very high levels. However, the roles and regulation of glutathione in the ovary are not well understood. Therefore, current work in the laboratory is focusing on understanding the role(s) of glutathione in ovarian follicles and investigating the hormonal regulation of ovarian glutathione synthesis. Our work to date shows that GSH synthesis in the ovary is regulated by modulation of the expression of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, by the gonadotropins, LH and FSH. |
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MacGREGOR LAB Grant MacGregor, Ph.D. (Profile) Ph.D., Sussex University, 1986 2042 Hewitt Hall Irvine, CA 92697-3940 Tel: (949) 824-8253 Fax: (949) 824-6388 gmacg@uci.edu Lab: 2101 Hewitt Hall Tel: (949) 824- 4728 |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Molecular basis of mammalian spermatogenesis: We are studying the development of the mammalian germ lineage during embryogenesis and in the adult male using the mouse as a model genetic system.A line of transgenic mice has been generated in which the primordial germ cells (PGCs) are marked with a beta-galactosidase reporter gene. This enables purification of PGCs at different stages during embryogenesis. The construction of cDNA libraries from these PGCs at different developmental stages will enable the identification of genes which are differentially expressed during this process using an arrayed cDNA library based hybridisation strategy. Once such genes have been identified, we can embark upon a determination of their biological role during germ line development.Lines of mice with novel recessive mutrations that affect the process of spermatogenesis have been derived using a gene trap approach. These mice have defects involving flagellar formation and testis homeostasis. The elucidation of the function of these genes will provide new information about the molecular basis for the control of this complex but fundamental process. |
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MARSH LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Developmental genetics: The processes of development are fundamental to life and health. They require the coordinated effort of many cells in time and space to create, maintain and repair our tissues and organs. Coordination is achieved by cells signaling and responding using short range, paracrine ligand signals (often known as growth factors, oncogenes, cytokines etc) and changing the genes that are expressed in response to these signals. Uncovering the molecular, the biochemical and the genetic mechanisms underlying these critical developmental events would allow us to understand birth defects and the molecular genetic origin of many cancers. It would also provide a basis for 'developmental engineering' namely, the directed manipulation of tissue growth and patterning to regenerate tissues damaged by disease, wounding or surgery. |
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MEYER LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Neural injury regeneration: |
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MONUKI LAB |
Cerebral c ortex development, disease and evolution: The goal of our laboratory is to understand how the cerebral cortex develops normally, how this process goes awry in human disease, and how the cortex evolved. Our focus has been on the molecular genetic pathways involved in very early stages when the cortex is first being formed and specified. Based on its preeminence as a genetic system and the strong resemblance of its cortex to our own, mice are the main experimental system in the laboratory. The mouse studies are supplemented by work on human tissue, including studies on the genetic basis of human cortical disorders. |
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MULLIGAN LAB |
RESEARCH INTEREST: RNA editing in plant mitochondria and chloroplasts: |
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O’DOWD |
RESEARCH INTEREST: Sypnatic plasticity; Excitability In our lab we study the activity of living neurons from the brains of both flies and mice. Using molecular genetic approaches we are exploring the role of specific genes in regulating functional plasticity of neural circuits. We are also examining how environmental factors such as exposure to specific drugs, including nicotine, can influence information transfer between neurons. A basic understanding of the genes and environmental factors that influence information processing between small groups of neurons is key to development of drugs and gene therapies aimed at restoring normal activity in the human brain that has been damaged by injury, disease, or exposure to drugs of abuse. These studies will also provide important clues as to the factors that might enhance normal cognitive function both during development and in the mature human brain. |
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SANDER LAB |
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