Nodal Signaling in Left-Right Patterning - We are interested in determining when and where this pathway is required for proper left-right patterning in the brain and viscera. Our recent work demonstrates a previously unrecognized role for the essential Nodal co-factor, one-eyed pinhead, in the midline for patterning to occur in the lateral plate mesoderm. We are currently exploring when and where Nodal signaling is required for left-right patterning in the brain.

Asymmetric Organ Morphogenesis - How an organ obtains its final asymmetric position is not understood in any organism. We are currently cloning zebrafish mutants where organs fail to become asymmetric to understand this process. For example, in these mutants the pancreas remains in the midline and does not become positioned on the right. We are also using GFP transgenic fish to visualize morphogenesis of asymmetric organs in the living embryo.

Cyst formation in the Pronephros - Many of the mutants we currently study have both left-right patterning defects and form cysts in the pronephros. We are interested in understanding the cell biology of cyst formation and the links between cyst formation and left-right patterning.