We are investigating the cellular and molecular genetic mechanisms underlying vertebrate gastrulation, a crucial period of embryogenesis during which the germ layers are formed and then shaped into the vertebrate body plan with organ rudiments. During gastrulation, a series of inductive events that specify cell identities and massive cell movements fashion the body plan. The complex and dynamic nature of gastrulation makes it a challenging but intellectually fascinating object of study. In humans, 25-50% of pregnancies end in early miscarriages of largely unknown genetic origin. Moreover, the molecular regulation of tumor growth and metastasis show striking parallels to those underlying gastrulation movements, underscoring the practical significance of gastrulation research.
We are addressing the mechanisms of gastrulation in the zebrafish (Danio rerio), a system that affords a powerful combination of forward and reverse genetic analyses with embryological, cellular and molecular methods and also in human embryonic stem cells. We are also employing embryonic stem cells and tumor cell lines to test whether the new genes and mechanisms we implicate in zebrafish gastrulation are also involved in human development and disease. Our current experiments are focused on the roles of the Wnt, Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity, Stat3 and G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathways and epigenetic factors in the regulation of embryonic polarity and gastrulation movements.
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Recent News
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Congratulations to the newly minted Dr. Castelvecchi!Dr. Gina Castelvecchi defended her thesis on July 27, 2020, and will be starting a technology transfer fellowship through the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research with the Department of Defense in Washington DC. Congrats, Gina! Read More >> |
New PublicationNodal and planar cell polarity signaling cooperate to regulate zebrafish convergence and extension gastrulation movements. Williams, MLK and Solnica-Krezel L. Elife.2020 Apr 22;9:e54445. Read More >> |
Congratulations to Lila Solnica-Krezel!Lila has been elected to the International Zebrafish Society Board of Directors as President-Elect. Read More >> |
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New PublicationBudine, T., deSena-Tomas, C., Williams, MLK., Sepich, D., Targoff, K., Solnica-Krezel, L. Dev Biol. 2020 Jun 15;462(2):223-234. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.03.002. Epub 2020 Apr 6. Read More >> |
Congratulations to Lila Solnica-Krezel!Lila received the Nusslein-Volhard Award at the 2019 International Zebrafish Society meeting. The Nusslein-Volhard Award is from the European Society for Fish Models in Biology and Medicine (EuFishBioMed). Read More >> |
Margot Williams receives Chi-Bin Chien Award!Margot Williams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the Baylor College of Medicine, received the IZFS 2020 Chi-Bin Chien Award. Her outstanding research contributions and dedication to the zebrafish field truly characterize the spirit of Chi-Bin Chien. Congratulations! Read More >> |
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Gastrulation: From Embryonic Pattern To Form, edited by Lila Solnica-KrezelLila edited the recently published (January 20, 2020) Gastrulation: From Embryonic Pattern to Form, Volume 136, 1st edition. The work is a collection from leaders in the field of embryology development. Read More >> |
Welcome to Linwei Li, Ph.D., PostdocDr. Linwei Li joined the Solnica-Krezel lab in November 2019 as a postdoctoral fellow. Linwei’s research will be involving the genetic regulation of early embryogenesis in zebrafish, in particular the mechanisms that coordinate cell movements and fate specification during gastrulation. Read More >> |
Congratulations to Isa Roszko!Isa Roszko (center), Scientist in the Lila Solnica-Krezel laboratory received FEBS Letters First Level Poster Prize at the 14th International Zebrafish Conference in Suzhou, China. Congratulations Isa! Read More >> |
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