One of biology’s most exciting challenges is to understand how a single cell, the fertilized zygote, can give rise to an entire new organism. This process involves the differentiation of a large array of cell types that must be organized with an intricate architecture to create a functioning adult. The same mechanisms that control development are also critical in human disease, and our understanding of many disease processes and disease genes comes from first understanding their role in development.
Research in developmental biology in CMDB encompasses many of the essential questions currently being addressed in this field. A wide range of genetic, molecular, and cell biological approaches are being used to study these questions, including sophisticated imaging, large-scale genomics, and cross-species comparisons that are possible with advanced sequencing technologies and bioinformatics resources.
Developmental Biology faculty
Our faculty members have a wide range of research specialties. Learn about their work and how you can get connected with our developmental biology faculty.
Our research
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Proteins rather than mRNAs regulate nucleation and persistence of Oskar germ granules in Drosophila
Quantitative microscopy has revealed that germ granule formation in Drosophila is primarily driven by proteins rather than mRNAs. This distinguishes germ granules from other RNA granules, such as stress granules and P-bodies, which rely on RNA-dependent condensation. Additionally, germ granules are associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear pores, suggesting that these structures may…
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Retinoic acid signaling regulates spatiotemporal specification of human green and red cones
Trichromacy is unique to primates among placental mammals, enabled by blue, green, and red cones. Our study of human retinas and organoids revealed that timing of retinoic acid signaling regulates the decision between green and red cone fates.
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Increased levels of lagging strand polymerase α in an adult stem cell lineage affect replication-coupled histone incorporation
DNA replication is the most fundamental biological process and is indispensable for cell function. Recently, my lab has made a novel discovery: Reducing the activity of a single DNA replication component, DNA polymerase a, could enhance cellular plasticity and improve tissue function across diverse systems and species.
Student profiles
Aurelia Mapps
Aurelia Mapps studies satellite glia, the “babysitters” of our sympathetic nervous system Most of us know the nervous system as the electric wiring of the body. Its cellular unit, neurons, transmit chemical signals to other neurons. But neurons also have…
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