Mammalian Developmental Genetics And Animal Models Of Hu

我们研究哺乳动物发育的分子遗传学。我们的兴趣集中在由Lhx基因家族个体成员编码的lim同源结构域（LIM-HD）转录因子施加的发育控制上。在胚胎和成体中，Lhx基因介导从干细胞阶段到终末分化前的前体阶段的过渡。在我们早期的实验中，我们通过敲除小鼠的功能缺失分析确定了许多Lhx基因的功能，并描述了分别由Ldb和Ssdp基因编码的介导Lhx基因功能的强制性辅因子。在这里描述的工作中，我们采用了最初在我们实验室开发的cre介导的条件突变方案，以提出更多关于LIM-HD/辅因子复合物及其下游Dkk靶标在发育中的小鼠胚胎中模式形成和器官建立时的作用的微调问题。

We study the molecular genetics of mammalian development. Our interest is focused on developmental controls exerted by LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors that are encoded by individual members of the Lhx gene family. In the embryo, and also in the adult, Lhx Genes mediate the transit from the stem cell stage to a precursor stage that precedes terminal differentiation. In our earlier experiments, we determined the functions of a number of Lhx genes through loss-of-function analysis of knockout mice, and we described obligatory cofactors, encoded by Ldb and Ssdp genes, respectively, that mediate Lhx gene function. In the work described here, we have adopted regimens of Cre-mediated conditional mutation, originally developed in our laboratory, to ask more fine-tuned questions regarding the action of LIM-HD/cofactor complexes and their downstream Dkk targets as patterns form and organs are established in the developing mouse embryo.