Developmental Biology
Gene regulation in mesoderm development of a primitive sea urchin.
Potential Research Project
Mesoderm development occurs very differently in primitive sea urchins vs derived sea urchins, including variable number of micromeres, increased length of time of gastrulation and absence of primary mesenchyme cells in the primitive group. The time and place of expression of several transcription factors will be examined and compared in primitive and derived sea urchins to elucidate mechanisms of evolutionary change in mesoderm development.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0829259. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
