My lab is interested in how the mammalian body plan
is generated during early pregnancy. We seek to understand
the mechanisms that establish and pattern the body
axes and organ precursors of the embryo. We are using
the unique genetic technologies available in the mouse
to study induction, pattern formation, and morphogenesis,
particularly of the neural tube, head and pharyngeal
region. One approach underway is the targeted mutation
or manipulation of cell-signaling genes likely to
control these events.
We also use embryonic tissues from existing mutant
and transgenic mice in embryological experiments to
probe the roles of cellular interactions in tissue
development. Our studies bear on normal mammalian
embryogenesis and on its anomalies, particularly those
of the head, heart and central nervous system. Structural
anomalies in these tissues account for the vast majority
of serious human birth defects. A key objective of
our research is to elucidate the mechanisms by which
these three classes of birth defects occur.
