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Contenido archivado el 2024-05-07

Pattern formation in the c. elegans embryo and interactions between the even-skipped homologue vab-7 and hox genes

Objetivo



Research objectives and content
A conserved cluster of homeotic genes (the HOM-C) patterns animals along the anterior/posterior axis. However, they are not expressed at the anterior and posterior extremities. One gene proposed to have a role in posterior patterning in most animals, possibly in concert with HOM-C genes, is even-skipped. However, neither their posterior function nor any functional interaction with HOM-C genes was known. Recently, it was shown that the C. elegans even-skipped homologue is encoded by vab-7, which functions in posterior muscle and epidermal patterning. Further, vab-7 activity is required for expression of the HOM-C gene, egl-5, in muscle cells.
The purpose of this proposal is to explore interactions between vab-7 and HOM-C genes. This will involve analyzing cell lineages in HOM-C mutant and vab-7/HOM-C double mutant embryos, examining the consequences of ectopic vab-7 expression on HOM-C gene expression, and searching for vab-7 responsive elements in the egl-5 promoter. Because vab-7 has a posterior expression pattern similar to that of even-skipped in other animals, this work may uncover general developmental principles and patterning strategies.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
During my thesis I studied the origin of osteoclasts (F.one resorbing hemopoetic cells) in chicken. Through this work, I learned general cell biology techniques and gained a good knowledge of vertebrate differentiation. During the course of my research, I became more interested in developmental biology, and decided to work in a model system to study embryonic pattern formation. The present project will give me an opportunity to learn new techniques and apply my previous knowledge to the study of developmental questions, taking advantage of the outstanding experimental possibilities provided by C. elegans. This work will give me a good background in basic C. elegans biology, genetics, lineage analyses, and molecular biology which will be an important basis for future work.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

Programa(s)

Tema(s)

Convocatoria de propuestas

Datos no disponibles

Régimen de financiación

RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)

Coordinador

University of Cambridge
Aportación de la UE
Sin datos
Dirección
Downing Street
CB2 3EH Cambridge
Reino Unido
Coste total
Sin datos

Participantes (1)