Analysis of a Model Developmental Gene Regulatory Network

模型发育基因调控网络分析

• 批准号: 1354973
• 负责人: Charles Ettensohn
• 金额: $ 60万
• 依托单位: Carnegie-Mellon University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-04-15 至 2017-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1354973&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Analysis; Model; Developmental; Gene; Regulatory

New generations of multicellular animals arise primarily through the biological process known as embryonic development. This project addresses fundamental mechanisms that control animal development. It focuses on the connections between two kinds of dynamic, molecular networks that define the properties and behaviors of embryonic cells: 1) networks that are controlled by extrinsic signals (cell signaling networks) and 2) networks that control programs of gene expression (gene regulatory networks). Understanding the connections between such networks is a central problem in the emerging field of systems developmental biology. This study leverages a well-understood developmental gene regulatory network - one that controls skeletal development in sea urchin embryos- and examines the mechanisms and developmental consequences of its regulation by extracellular cues. The broader impacts of this work include: 1) continued support for a highly successful program of undergraduate research in the PI's laboratory, and 2) the maintenance and enhancement of the 'Virtual Urchin' web project, a unique resource that provides science instructors with educational tools for teaching students of all levels (elementary school to college) about early embryonic development.

新一代的多细胞动物主要通过称为胚胎发育的生物过程产生。该项目研究控制动物发育的基本机制。它侧重于定义胚胎细胞的性质和行为的两种动态分子网络之间的连接：1）由外部信号控制的网络（细胞信号网络）和2）控制基因表达程序的网络（基因调控网络）。了解这些网络之间的联系是系统发育生物学新兴领域的一个核心问题。这项研究利用了一个众所周知的发育基因调控网络-一个控制海胆胚胎骨骼发育的网络-并研究了细胞外信号对其调控的机制和发育后果。这项工作的更广泛的影响包括：1）继续支持PI实验室非常成功的本科生研究计划，以及2）维护和增强“虚拟海胆”网络项目，这是一种独特的资源，为科学教师提供教育工具，用于教授各级学生（小学到大学）关于早期胚胎发育的知识。