A5082612878- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Nuclear Structure and Function
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- DNA Repair Mechanisms
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Renal and related cancers
- Heat shock proteins research
Dartmouth Hospital
2024-2025
Dartmouth College
2021-2025
Princeton University
2019-2021
Stanford University
2015
Significance Embryos depend on maternally deposited RNA until zygotic transcription activates. In many species, genome activation coincides with cell cycle lengthening and cellular motility, which collectively comprise the midblastula transition (MBT). A long-standing model is that MBT onset controlled by titration of a loaded inhibitor against exponentially increasing DNA. To identify inhibitors, we developed an assay using Xenopus egg extract recapitulates transcriptional only above...
ABSTRACT The early embryos of many animals, including flies, fish and frogs, have unusually rapid cell cycles delayed onset transcription. These divisions are dependent on maternally supplied RNAs proteins histones. Previous work suggests that the pool size provided histones can alter timing zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in frogs fish. Here, we examine effects under- overexpression maternal Drosophila embryogenesis. Decreasing histone concentration advances transcription, cycle elongation,...
Significance At the mid-blastula transition, rapid cell divisions are slowed down and global activation of zygotic genes occur, preparing early embryo for differentiation further development. Using live imaging embryos with reduced ploidy cycle lengths, we examined effects nuclear content to cytoplasm (N/C) ratio on timing genome activation. While some predominantly affected by N/C ratio–dependent changes in durations, other demonstrate direct regulation through transcriptional kinetics...
Abstract The development of a fertilized egg to an embryo requires the proper temporal control gene expression. During cell differentiation, timing is often controlled via cascades transcription factors (TFs). However, in early development, inactive, and many TF levels stay constant, suggesting that alternative mechanisms govern observed rapid ordered onset Here, we find embryonic access maternally deposited nuclear proteins genome temporally importin affinities, thereby expression...
Forward genetic screens remain at the forefront of biology as an unbiased approach for discovering and elucidating gene function organismal molecular level. Past mutagenesis targeting maternal-effect genes identified a broad spectrum phenotypes ranging from defects in oocyte development to embryonic patterning. However, earlier vertebrate did not reach saturation, anticipated classes were uncovered, technological limitations made it difficult pinpoint causal gene. In this study, we performed...
Quantitative live imaging is a valuable tool that offers insights into cellular dynamics. However, many fundamental biological processes are incompatible with current modalities. Drosophila oogenesis well-studied system has provided molecular range of and developmental processes. The length the coupled requirement for inputs from multiple tissues made long-term culture challenging. Here, we have developed Bellymount-Pulsed Tracking (Bellymount-PT), which allows continuous, non-invasive...
Early embryos often have relatively unstructured chromatin that lacks active and inactive domains typical of differentiated cells. In many species, these regulatory are established during zygotic genome activation (ZGA).
Abstract Communication between the cytoplasm and nucleus requires a continuous exchange of molecules across nuclear envelope (NE). The pore complex (NPC) is gateway embedded in NE through which cargo moves, while transport receptors mediate passage macromolecules NPC. Although their essential role as components machinery has been extensively studied, how these factors respond to developmental environmental cues underexplored. Here we tag nucleoporin Nup96 receptor Impβ with mEGFP mScarlet-I...
Abstract Quantitative live imaging is a valuable tool that offers insights into cellular dynamics. However, many fundamental biological processes are incompatible with current modalities. Drosophila oogenesis well-studied system has provided molecular range of and developmental processes. The length the coupled requirement for inputs from multiple tissues made long-term culture challenging. Here, we have developed Bellymount-Pulsed Tracking (Bellymount-PT), which allows continuous,...
Abstract The early embryos of many species undergo a switch from rapid, reductive cleavage divisions to slower, cell fate-specific division patterns at the Mid-Blastula Transition (MBT). maternally loaded histone pool is used measure increasing ratio nuclei cytoplasm (N/C ratio) control MBT onset, but molecular mechanism how histones regulate cycle has remained elusive. Here, we show that excess H3 inhibits DNA damage checkpoint kinase Chk1 promote progression in Drosophila embryo. We find...
Summary The development of a fertilized egg to an embryo requires the proper temporal control gene expression 1-6 . During cell differentiation, timing is often controlled via cascades transcription factors (TFs) 7,8 However, in early development, inactive, and many TF levels are constant, suggesting that unknown mechanisms govern observed rapid ordered onset 9 Here, we find embryonic access maternally deposited nuclear proteins genome temporally importin affinities, thereby downstream...
Abstract Early embryos must rapidly generate large numbers of cells to form an organism. Many species accomplish this through a series rapid, reductive, and transcriptionally silent cleavage divisions. Previous work has demonstrated that the number divisions before both cell cycle elongation zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is regulated by ratio nuclear content cytoplasm (N/C). To understand how N/C affects timing ZGA, we directly assayed behavior several previously identified...