The skeleton is one of the most highly patterned structures in higher organisms. Although built of only a few cell types, these tissues are molded into beautiful shapes and sizes and laid out in repeating arrays that illustrate many basic problems in morphogenesis and vertebrate evolution. The skeleton is also critical to human health, with diseases like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis afflicting a large fraction of the human population. We are using modern genetic and genomic methods to identify the molecular mechanisms that create, pattern, and repair skeletal tissues. Historically, many of these experiments began with classical mouse mutations that alter skeletal development. However, the genes we have identified in mice have turned out to be directly relevant to a better understanding of human disease. Recently, we have begun applying similar genetic and genomic methods to a detailed study of the molecular basis of vertebrate evolution. Using these methods, we believe it will be possible to identify some of the genes and mutations that underlie major changes in body form and physiology in naturally occurring species, including fish, lizards, whales, and humans.

Projects:

1) Genes Controlling Formation of Bones and Joints in Mice

2) Skeletal Disease

3) Genetic Control of Vertebrate Evolution