A5090874399- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Tardigrade Biology and Ecology
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Light effects on plants
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancer
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance
- Transgenic Plants and Applications
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2016-2025
Marine Biological Laboratory
2024
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
2015-2018
University of North Carolina Health Care
2009-2017
University of Minnesota
2005
University of California, Berkeley
1998-2001
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
1993-1998
Medical Research Council
1993
The University of Texas at Austin
1992
IBM (United States)
1974
Abstract A central goal in the development of genome engineering technology is to reduce time and labor required produce custom modifications. Here we describe a new selection strategy for producing fluorescent protein (FP) knock-ins using CRISPR/Cas9-triggered homologous recombination. We have tested our approach Caenorhabditis elegans. This has been designed minimize hands-on at each step procedure. Central newly developed self-excising cassette (SEC) drug selection. SEC consists three...
Apical constriction changes cell shapes, driving critical morphogenetic events, including gastrulation in diverse organisms and neural tube closure vertebrates. is thought to be triggered by contraction of apical actomyosin networks. We found that contractions began before shape both Caenorhabitis elegans Drosophila. In C. elegans, networks were initially dynamic, contracting generating cortical tension without substantial shrinking surfaces. cell-cell contact zones only later moved...
Model organisms are widely used in research as accessible and convenient systems to study a particular area or question biology. Traditionally only handful of have been studied, but modern tools enabling researchers extend the set model include less-studied more unusual systems. This Forum highlights range 'non-model organisms' emerging for tackling questions across whole spectrum biology (and beyond), opportunities challenges, outlook future.
Significance Despite fascinating scientists for over 200 years, little at the molecular level is known about tardigrades, microscopic animals resistant to extreme stresses. We present genome of a tardigrade. Approximately one-sixth genes in tardigrade were found have been acquired through horizontal transfer, proportion nearly double previous cases gene transfer (HGT) animals. Foreign impacted composition genome: supplementing, expanding, and replacing endogenous families, including those...
Abstract The auxin-inducible degron (AID) system has emerged as a powerful tool to conditionally deplete proteins in range of organisms and cell types. Here, we describe toolkit augment the use AID Caenorhabditis elegans. We have generated set single-copy, tissue-specific (germline, intestine, neuron, muscle, pharynx, hypodermis, seam cell, anchor cell) pan-somatic TIR1-expressing strains carrying co-expressed blue fluorescent reporter enable both red green channels experiments. These...
Anteroposterior asymmetries are apparent in C elegans development before the first cell division. Here we identify cue that specifies anteroposterior axis, and investigate how this is interpreted to generate initial asymmetry. In C. elegans, sperm normally enters egg an invariant position. We have found causing fertilisation occur abnormal end of completely reverses orientation but gives otherwise normal development. This result suggests a component axis. cytoplasmic rearrangement uncleaved...
Small RNA pathways act at the front line of defence against transposable elements across Eukaryota. In animals, Piwi interacting small RNAs (piRNAs) are a crucial arm this defence. However, evolutionary relationships among piRNAs and other targeting poorly resolved. To address question we sequenced from multiple, diverse nematode species, producing first phylum-wide analysis how evolve. Surprisingly, despite their prominence in Caenorhabditis elegans closely related nematodes, absent all...
The GTPase RhoA is a central regulator of cellular contractility in wide variety biological processes. During these events, activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). These molecules are highly regulated to ensure that activation occurs at the proper time and place. cytokinesis, RhoGEF ECT-2. In human cells, ECT-2 activity requires its association with CYK-4, which component centralspindlin complex. contrast, early Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, not all ECT-2-dependent...
Fluorescent protein tags are fundamental tools used to visualize gene products and analyze their dynamics in vivo. Recent advances genome editing have expedited the precise insertion of fluorescent into genomes diverse organisms. These expand potential vivo imaging experiments facilitate experimentation with new, bright, photostable proteins. Most quantitative comparisons brightness photostability different proteins been made vitro, removed from biological variables that govern performance...
Light-activatable proteins allow precise spatial and temporal control of biological processes in living cells animals. Several approaches have been developed for controlling protein localization with light, including the conditional inhibition a nuclear signal (NLS) Light Oxygen Voltage (AsLOV2) domain phototropin 1 from Avena sativa. In dark, switch adopts closed conformation that sterically blocks NLS motif. Upon activation blue light C-terminus unfolds, freeing to direct nucleus. A...