Elucidating the genetic determinants of organ identity using the C. elegans reproductive organs as a model

细胞如何获得它们的身份是发育生物学中的一个基本问题，并且在干细胞生物学时代变得更加重要。 为了利用成体干细胞的潜力，必须了解赋予它们独特潜力的遗传因素。 这种潜力与它们的起源组织密切相关。 在这个项目中，线虫线虫的生殖器官被用作定义器官身份的遗传决定因素的模型。 C.线虫的生殖器官来源于两个体细胞性腺前体细胞（SGPs）。 SGPs经历一系列细胞分裂，在雌性器官中产生五个成熟组织，在雄性器官中产生四个成熟组织。 产生这些特定细胞类型的潜力在它们出生时就被赋予了SGPs;它们的姐妹细胞在它们出生后不久就分化了。 分子，生物化学和遗传实验的组合将被用来将新发现的基因纳入器官身份的遗传模型，并确定关键的早期调节SGP身份。 这项工作的结果将是对器官身份和多能性的遗传控制的更完整的理解，这有可能显著影响对所有干细胞（包括人类干细胞）的基本理解。 这个研究项目的一个组成部分是一个先进的本科遗传学实验室课程的发展，将向学生介绍以探究为基础的研究。 此外，该项目还将为未来的美国科学家提供培训，其中将有几名本科生，两名研究生和一名博士后研究员参与该项目的研究。

How cells acquire their identity is a fundamental question in Developmental Biology and one that has gained additional importance in the era of stem cell biology. In order to harness the potential of adult stems cells, the genetic factors that give them their unique potential must be understood. This potential is intimately linked with their tissue of origin. In this project, the reproductive organs of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans are used as a model for defining the genetic determinants of organ identity. All somatic tissues of C. elegans reproductive organs derive from two somatic gonadal precursor cells (SGPs). The SGPs undergo a set of cell divisions to generate five mature tissues in the female organ or four mature tissues in the male organ. The potential to generate these particular cell types is imparted to the SGPs at their birth; their sister cells differentiate shortly after they are born. A combination of molecular, biochemical, and genetic experiments will be used to incorporate newly identified genes into a genetic model for organ identity and to identify critical early regulators of SGP identity. The outcome of this work will be a more complete understanding of the genetic controls of organ identity and multipotency, which has the potential to impact significantly the basic understanding of all stem cells, including human stem cells. An integral part of this research project is the development of an advanced undergraduate genetics lab course that will introduce students to inquiry-based research. In addition, this project will provide training for future US scientists, in that several undergraduate students, two graduate students, and one postdoctoral fellow will be engaged in conducting the research in this project.