The interest in small interfering, non-coding microRNAs has exploded due to emerging discoveries of their diversity and prevalence across animal species. For all of the enthusiasm that they have garnered in the field, very little is known of their individual target genes and biological functions. The goal of this proposal is to determine the function of a set of microRNAs expressed in the developing vertebrate limb bud by combining molecular biology, computational bioinformatics, and classical embryology.
Specific Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that let-7e functions in the limb to inhibit inappropriate chondrogenesis.
Specific Aim 2 will use similar experimental methods to investigate the functions of five additional microRNAs expressed strongly in the vertebrate limb.
Specific Aim 3 will focus on elucidating the requirement for the microRNA assocated protein Argonaute 2 and its cognate microRNAs by generating a conditional null allele of Ago2 in the mouse and performing a microarray analysis. The results of these investigations will reveal functions of microRNAs in the developing embryo and will open avenues to research that may allow development of antisense RNA technology for therapeutic applications. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HD052349-02
Application #
7237363
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F05 (20))
Program Officer
Winer, Karen
Project Start
2006-05-01
Project End
2009-04-30
Budget Start
2007-05-01
Budget End
2008-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$48,796
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047006379
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Cooper, Kimberly L; Tabin, Clifford J (2008) Understanding of bat wing evolution takes flight. Genes Dev 22:121-4