![Clocking in for Embryonic Development]()
Early in the course of vertebrate development, the primitive backbone (consisting of a clump of cells) must be sliced into vertebral percursors called somites. This segmentation of somites is controlled by oscillator-mechanism (“clock”) genes belonging to the Hes/Her family of genes. The periodic rises and falls in expression of these genes must be precisely regulated: The smallest errors, due to gene mutations or other causes, can result in birth defects. The National Cancer Institute has awarded Ertugrul Ozbudak, Ph.D., a four-year, $1.3 million grant to study the Hes/Her gene family. This work should shed light on the genetic basis of vertebral defects and possible strategies for preventing them. In addition, aberrant oscillations in the levels of Hes/Her proteins (which control the switch from proliferation to differentiation in various tissues) have been detected in certain cancers. So the research may also lead to anti-cancer therapies. Dr. Ozbudak is associate professor of genetics. (1R01GM122956-01)
Posted on: Wednesday, May 10, 2017