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The establishment of Hox gene expression patterns in vertebrate embryos

ReferenceBBS/E/B/21001161
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Stephen Gaunt
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution Babraham Institute
DepartmentBabraham Institute Department
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 302,449
StatusCompleted
TypeInstitute Project
Start date 01/04/2000
End date 31/03/2004
Duration48 months

Abstract

The body plan of a developing mouse, human or chick embryo is specified by the 39 Hox genes. These are differentially expressed along the embryo in a series of partially overlapping domains. A central question in developmental biology is that of how these domains are established. We have shown that they develop by spreading from the posterior end, with anterior genes spreading forward ahead of more posterior genes. We have published models of how a gradient of morphogen along the early embryo could account for these developing patterns. Various lines of circumstantial evidence suggest that this morphogen could be the combined effects of the three so-called caudal proteins. In future work, we shall test the roles of caudal, Hox and related genes in the establishment of Hox expression patterns.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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