Homologies between Expression Domains of Pattern-ControllingGenes in Protochordates and Vertebrates: A new way of eval. Hypotheses on the Origin of the vert. from the Invertebrates

霍兰德博士建议在进化和发育领域的交界处开展工作，总体目的是了解脊椎动物和无脊椎动物的起源。最容易处理的目标是在文昌鱼和被囊动物个体发育过程中建立模式控制基因(例如同源盒基因)的表达结构域之间的同源性。这些基因将被分离和测序，并将用于制备核探针和抗体，用于检测胚胎和幼虫组织中的基因产物。通过将原索表达域与已知的脊椎动物发育中的表达域进行比较，霍兰德博士可以产生前所未有的新同源性，并利用它们来评估现有的脊椎动物起源理论，并可能作为新假说的基础。最初的研究已经对脊椎动物头部和大脑的进化起源产生了新的见解。

Dr. Holland proposes to work at the interface between the fields of evolution and development with the overall purpose of understanding the origin of the vertebrates from the invertebrates. The most tractable goal is to establish homologies between expression domains of pattern controlling genes (e.g. homeobox genes) during ontogeny of lancelets (amphioxus) and tunicates. These genes will be isolated and sequenced and will be used to prepare riboprobes and antibodies for detection of the gene products within the context of the embryonic and larval tissues. By comparing the protochordate expression domains to those already known for developing vertebrates, Dr. Holland the can generate unprecedented new homologies and use them to evaluate existing theories of vertebrate origins and possibly as a basis for new hypotheses. The initial study has already yielded new insights into the evolutionary origin of the vertebrate head and brain.