A5023919063- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Urological Disorders and Treatments
- Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Congenital heart defects research
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Urologic and reproductive health conditions
- dental development and anomalies
- Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Studies
- Congenital limb and hand anomalies
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Renal and related cancers
- Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancer
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
University of Florida
2014-2025
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2009-2019
University of Oxford
2016
University of Reading
1999-2014
Stanford University
2011
Florida College
2011
Cancer Genetics (United States)
2007-2009
Institute of Zoology
2006
University of Dundee
2000
University College London
1995-2000
Males and females generally have different finger proportions. In males, digit 2 is shorter than 4, but in the same length or longer 4. The second- to fourth-digit (2D:4D) ratio correlates with numerous sexually dimorphic behavioral physiological conditions. Although correlational studies suggest that ratios reflect prenatal exposure androgen, developmental mechanism underlying development remains unknown. Here we report 2D:4D mice controlled by balance of androgen estrogen signaling during...
Abstract A classically identified “notochordal” cell population in the nucleus pulposus is thought to regulate disk homeostasis. However, embryonic origin of these cells has been under dispute for >60 years. Here we provide first direct evidence that all types adult mouse are derived from notochord. Additionally, rare isolated notochord remained vertebral column and resembled “notochordal remnants,” which humans have proposed give rise a type late‐onset cancer called chordoma. Previously,...
Among mammals, modern cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are unusual in the absence of hind limbs. However, cetacean embryos do initiate hind-limb bud development. In arrests degenerates around fifth gestational week. Initial limb outgrowth amniotes is maintained by two signaling centers, apical ectodermal ridge (AER) zone polarizing activity (ZPA). Our data indicate that forms an AER this structure expresses Fgf8 initially, but neither nor expression maintained. Moreover, Sonic...
Fkbp52 and Fkbp51 are tetratricopeptide repeat proteins found in steroid receptor complexes, is an androgen (AR) target gene. Although vitro studies suggest that regulate hormone binding and/or subcellular trafficking of receptors, the roles vivo have not been extensively investigated. Here, we evaluate their physiological Fkbp52-deficient Fkbp51-deficient mice. males developed defects select reproductive organs (e.g. penile hypospadias prostate dysgenesis but normal testis), pointing to a...
Malformation of the urogenital tract represents a considerable paediatric burden, with many defects affecting lower urinary (LUT), genital tubercle and associated structures. Understanding molecular basis such frequently draws on murine models. However, human anatomical terms do not always superimpose mouse, lack accurate standardised nomenclature is hampering utility animal We previously developed an ontology for system. Here, we present comprehensive update this pertaining to mouse LUT,...
Significance Birth defects of external genitalia occur at a striking frequency, affecting ∼1:250 live births. Congenital penile anomalies (CPAs) encompass range malformations, including failure urethral tube closure (hypospadias), curvature (chordee), micropenis, and feminization male genitalia. Both genetic exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are suspected be involved; however, little is known about the underlying causes or developmental window(s) sensitivity antiandrogenic...
The past two decades have greatly improved our knowledge of vertebrate skeletal morphogenesis. It is now clear that bony morphology lacks individual descriptive specification and instead results from an interplay between positional information assigned during early limb bud deployment its “execution” by highly conserved cellular response programs derived connective tissue cells (e.g., chondroblasts osteoblasts). Selection must therefore act on apportionment, rather than more individuated...
The evolutionary transition of fins to limbs involved development a new suite distal skeletal structures, the digits. During tetrapod limb development, genes at 5′ end HoxD cluster are expressed in two spatiotemporally distinct phases. In first phase, Hoxd9-13 activated sequentially and form nested domains along anteroposterior axis limb. This initial phase patterns from its proximal limit middle forearm. Later second wave transcription results gene expression bud, which regulates formation...
Malformations of the external genitalia are among most common congenital anomalies in humans. The urogenital and anorectal sinuses develop from embryonic cloaca, penis clitoris genital tubercle. Within tubercle, endodermally derived urethral epithelium functions as an organizer expresses sonic hedgehog (Shh). Shh knockout mice lack have a persistent cloaca. This identified early requirement for Shh, but precluded analysis its later role We conducted temporally controlled deletions report...
Current phylogenies show that paired fins and limbs are unique to jawed vertebrates their immediate ancestry. Such evolved first as a single pair extending from an anterior location, later stabilized two pairs at pectoral pelvic levels. Fin number, identity, position therefore key issues in vertebrate developmental evolution. Localization of the AP levels which signals initiate outgrowth body wall may be determined by Hox gene expression patterns along lateral plate mesoderm. This...
Development of external genitalia in mammalian embryos requires tight coordination a complex series morphogenetic events involving outgrowth, proximodistal and dorsoventral patterning, epithelial tubulogenesis. Hypospadias is congenital defect the that results from failure urethral tube closure. Although this second most common birth humans, affecting one every 250 children, molecular mechanisms regulate morphogenesis urethra are poorly understood. We report mice lacking IIIb isoform...
Type II collagen is the major cartilage matrix protein in jawed vertebrate skeleton. Lampreys and hagfishes, by contrast, are thought to have noncollagenous cartilage. This difference skeletal structure has led hypothesis that common ancestor had a skeleton, with type becoming predominant after divergence of jawless fish from vertebrates ≈500 million years ago. Here we report lampreys two ( Col2α1 ) genes expressed during development cartilaginous We also demonstrate adult lamprey skeleton...
The faithful positioning and growth of cells during embryonic development is essential. In this study Seifertet al. demonstrate that inactivation Sonic Hedgehogduring the genital tubercle results in a prolonged G1 phase slower rate growth. During development, are instructed which position to occupy, they interpret these cues as differentiation programmes, expand patterns by hedgehog (Shh) specifies positional identity many organs; however, its role not well understood. study, we show Shh...