Analysis of a Model Developmental Gene Regulatory Network

新一代的多细胞动物主要是通过被称为胚胎发育的生物过程产生的。这个项目解决了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的分子网络之间的联系：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)。了解这类网络之间的联系是系统发育生物学新兴领域的一个中心问题。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--并研究了细胞外线索对其调控的机制和发育后果。这项工作的更广泛影响包括：1)继续支持PI实验室非常成功的本科生研究计划，以及2)维护和加强“虚拟海胆”网络项目，这是一个独特的资源，为科学教师提供教育工具，向各级学生(从小学到大学)传授早期胚胎发育。

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.