Pathways regulating the germ cell microenvironment - the roles of seven-up and homothorax

在人类和动物中，许多短暂的细胞，如皮肤、血液或精子细胞，不断地从成人干细胞中繁殖出来。干细胞的功能依赖于支持细胞提供的信号，通常被称为微环境细胞？或者是利基细胞。然而，关于微环境细胞是如何形成的，以及它们是如何接触干细胞的，人们知之甚少。这位研究人员建议使用果蝇(黑腹果蝇)作为遗传模型系统来研究这些基本问题。这位研究人员此前曾暗示，七喜和同胸两种基因与微环境细胞的正常功能有关。她建议研究这些基因的作用和它们发挥作用的分子途径，并将它们与已知途径放在一起，以获得对微环境形成的机械理解。因此，拟议的研究结果将对我们对组织形成的理解产生广泛的影响，并有助于开发在组织分化中控制干细胞的技术。拟议的研究涉及对学生进行遗传和分子技术方面的培训。调查员在培训来自代表性不足群体的学生方面有记录，并打算继续这一轨道。

In humans and in animals, many short-lived cells, such as skin, blood, or sperm cells, are constantly reproduced from adult stem cells. The function of stem cells depends on cues provided by supporting cells, commonly referred to as ?micro-environment cells? or niche cells. However, little is known about how micro-environment cells are made and how they contact the stem cells. The investigator proposes to investigate these fundamental questions, using fruit-flies (Drosophila melanogaster) as a genetic model system. The investigator has previously implicated two genes, termed seven-up and homothorax, for proper functioning of micro-environment cells. She proposes to examine the roles of these genes and the molecular pathways in which they act, and to place them in context with known pathways to gain a mechanistic understanding of micro-environment formation. The outcome of the proposed research will therefore have a broad impact on our understanding of tissue formation, and contribute to the development of techniques for controlling stem cells in tissue differentiation.The proposed research involves training of students in genetic and molecular techniques. The investigator has a record in training students from underrepresented groups, and intends to continue this track.