Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 4R00HD115781-03

Dissecting input-output relationships of Developmental BMP Signaling

This award funds research to understand BMP signaling pathways in developmental biology using advanced imaging and cross-species analysis to uncover fundamental cell signaling principles.

Description

A small number of conserved signaling pathways are key players in cell fate decisions that govern embryonic development, maintenance and health of adult tissues, and progression of disease states. For example, embryonic development in numerous species hinges on the dynamics and regulation of the BMP signaling pathway. Our current knowledge of BMP signaling pathway specificity is based upon foundational genetic and invitro experiments, but we have limited understanding as to how cells produce diverse but specific responses to similar signaling inputs in vivo. The proposed research employs cutting-edge quantitative imaging techniques, classic genetics, biochemical approaches, and cross-species tools to elucidate BMP signaling mechanisms.

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