The role of endoderm in cardiac morphogenesis

名称：方林建议编号：IOS-1354457建议标题：内胚层在心脏形态发生中的作用在脊椎动物心脏发育过程中，一个关键的保守步骤是两个心肌前体群体向胚胎中线迁移，在那里它们合并形成原始心管-心脏发育的基础。这种迁移是高度调控的，需要迁移的心肌前体与其微环境(包括邻近的内胚层)之间的相互作用。然而，使内胚层促进心肌迁移的机制尚不清楚。首席调查员的实验室已经确定了一条信号通路，该通路对内胚层组织层和心肌前体的迁移至关重要。在这个项目中，他们将应用他们在斑马鱼遗传学、GPCR信号转导和活体成像方面的专业知识，并使用现有的工具来剖析内胚层和心肌前体之间的相互作用。这项研究有望导致对内胚层如何调节心肌迁移的清楚理解，这可能广泛适用于其他物种。这一贡献将具有重大意义，因为它将为脊椎动物心脏发育过程中内胚层和心肌前体之间的相互作用建立一个框架，并为组织相互作用影响器官发育的机制提供见解。从这项研究中获得的知识将有助于我们了解心脏是如何发育的。斑马鱼不仅是一个有价值的研究模型，也是各级学生的优秀教学工具。斑马鱼胚胎是透明的，并在外部发育，因此可以通过简单的立体显微镜观察包括心脏发育在内的发育过程。因此，斑马鱼提供了一个可交付的基于课堂的学习机会。PI热衷于将科学带到课堂上，激励新一代，并在公众中促进基础生物学研究的意识。她认为，这些努力对社会产生了积极影响。国际和平研究所将继续在当地的K-12学校开展外展教育项目，为本科生提供研究经验，并为研究生和博士后研究金培训做出贡献。

Name: Fang LinProposal number: IOS-1354457Proposal title: The role of endoderm in cardiac morphogenesisDuring vertebrate heart development, a key conserved step is the migration of two bilateral populations of myocardial precursors towards the embryonic midline, where they merge to form the primitive heart tube- the foundation of heart development. This migration is highly regulated and requires interactions between the migrating myocardial precursors and their microenvironment, which includes the adjacent endoderm. However, the mechanisms enabling endoderm to promote myocardial migration are unclear. The Principal Investigator's lab has identified a signaling pathway that is critical for migration of the endodermal tissue layer and the myocardial precursors. In this project, they will apply their expertise in zebrafish genetics, GPCR signaling, and in vivo imaging, and use established tools to dissect the interactions between the endoderm and myocardial precursors. This study is expected to lead to a clear understanding of how the endoderm regulates myocardial migration, which may be broadly applicable to other species. This contribution will be significant in that it will establish a framework for the interplay between the endoderm and myocardial precursors during vertebrate heart development, and provide insights into the mechanisms whereby tissue interactions influence organ development. The knowledge gained from this study will help us to understand how the heart develops.The zebrafish represents not only a valuable research model, but also an excellent teaching tool for students at all levels. The zebrafish embryo is transparent and develops externally, making it possible to observe developmental processes, including heart development, through a simple stereomicroscope. Thus, zebrafish provides a deliverable classroom-based learning opportunity. The PI is passionate about bringing science to the classroom, inspiring new generations, and promoting an awareness of basic biological research among the public. She believes that these efforts have a positive impact on society. The PI will continue to conduct outreach educational projects at local K-12 schools, to provide undergraduates with research experience, and to contribute to graduate and postdoctoral fellowship training.