Primordial Germ Cell Determination in Echinoderms

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ABSTRACT WESSEL Proposal # IOB-0620607Sexual reproduction requires the formation of specialized cells, called gametes. The precursors of these cells, referred to as primordial germ cells, are determined very early in the life of the organism - as an embryo. In this application Dr. Wessel will examine what molecules are important for primordial germ cell development and determination in the sea urchin embryo. This is an important process for several reasons including that these cells are stem cells and studying this process in the sea urchin may help in our fundamental understanding of stem cell biology. Dr. Wessel will also examine how other echinoderms with different developmental strategies make their primordial germ cells. This comparative study will enable investigators to study how the primordial gems cells arise depending on differences in developmental mechanisms of the embryo. This project will also train graduate and undergraduate students in a wide array of modern experimental techniques. The results will be broadly disseminated in peer reviewed publications and online for K-12 students.