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

在人类和动物中，许多短寿命细胞，如皮肤、血液或精子细胞，都是由成体干细胞不断再生的。 干细胞的功能取决于支持细胞提供的线索，通常被称为？微环境细胞？或小生境细胞。然而，人们对微环境细胞是如何形成的以及它们如何与干细胞接触知之甚少。 研究者建议使用果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）作为遗传模型系统来研究这些基本问题。 研究人员此前曾暗示两个基因，称为七喜和homothorax，用于微环境细胞的正常功能。 她建议研究这些基因的作用和它们作用的分子途径，并将它们与已知的途径结合起来，以获得对微环境形成的机械理解。因此，拟议研究的结果将对我们理解组织形成产生广泛的影响，并有助于发展控制组织分化中干细胞的技术。拟议研究涉及对学生进行遗传和分子技术培训。 调查员曾培训过代表性不足群体的学生，并打算继续这方面的工作。

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.