The Developmental Genomics Section has been using a combination of zebrafish genetics and molecular embryology to study ear and hearing development. We have focused our attention on the study of several lines isolated in a screen for embryonically lethal mutations in zebrafish. Two of these mutations have been of particular interest. The first is a mutation in the forkhead related transcription factor Foxi1. This mutation has defects in both otic placode formation and jaw development. We are studying the mechanism of function for this transcription factor and are beginning to create a connection between sensory placode development and the formation of craniofacial elements. A second mutation that we are studying involves the disruption of a tight junction protein called claudinJ. Mutations in this gene cause deafness and vestibular defects in zebrafish embryos. We are trying to determine how this occurs. Another focus of the lab is to develop tools for studying gene expression on a genome wide scale. We have been directly involved in the development of an oligo-based microarray for zebrafish genes. We are also working on developing a frozen bank of mapped zebrafish insertional mutations allowing for the isolation of a specific gene disruption.
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