My lab is interested in how the mammalian
body plan is generated during early
pregnancy. We seek to understand the
mechanisms that establish and pattern
the body axes and organ precursors
of the embryo. We are using the unique
genetic technologies available in the
mouse to study induction, pattern formation,
and morphogenesis, particularly of
the neural tube, head and pharyngeal
region. One approach underway is the
targeted mutation or manipulation of
cell-signaling genes likely to control
these events.
We also use embryonic tissues from
existing mutant and transgenic mice
in embryological experiments to probe
the roles of cellular interactions
in tissue development. Our studies
bear on normal mammalian embryogenesis
and on its anomalies, particularly
those of the head, heart and central
nervous system. Structural anomalies
in these tissues account for the vast
majority of serious human birth defects.
A key objective of our research is
to elucidate the mechanisms by which
these three classes of birth defects
occur.
