Developmental Biology
The developmental biology program combines research activities centered in the Institute of Neuroscience with those in the Institute of Molecular Biology and the Institute of Ecology and Evolution. Several laboratories (Eisen, Guillemin, Kimmel, Miller, Postlethwait, and Westerfield) use zebrafish as a model in which to study the mechanisms underlying vertebrate development. Other research groups study development in the fruit fly (Doe, Guillemin, Herman, Prehoda), the mouse (Gardner, Guillemin, Niell, Stankunas, Sylwestrak, Zemper), the three spine stickleback (Cresko, Kimmel, Postlethwait), the nematode (Bowerman, Libuda, Phillips), Neurospora (Selker), and evolving gene families (Cresko, Kimmel). Members of all of these laboratories actively share information and resources in this diverse and rapidly moving field. In addition to a graduate research training program, a weekly journal club, and joint research group meetings, the developmental biologists participate in a yearly symposium on a topic of interest selected by graduate students in the participating laboratories.
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| Name | Department | Research Interest | Accepting grads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Q Doe | Biology | Generation of neuronal diversity and motor circuits in Drosophila | |
| Judith Eisen | Biology | Development of vertebrate nervous system with a focus on interactions between the nervous system, immune system, and host-associated microbiota | |
| Adrianne Huxtable | Human Physiology | Development of brain and spinal circuits controlling breathing | ✔ |
| Chuck Kimmel | Biology | Morphogenesis and evolutionary developmental biology of the skull | |
| Adam Miller | Biology | Neural circuit wiring, synapse formation, and electrical synaptogenesis. | |
| Cristopher Niell | Biology | Neural circuits for natural vision | ✔ |
| John Postlethwait | Biology | Developmental genetics and the evolution of developmental mechanisms | ✔ |
| Emily Sylwestrak | Biology | Neural circuits of behavior; reward and addiction | ✔ |
| Philip Washbourne | Biology | Developmental neuroscience with a focus on social behavioral circuits | ✔ |
| Monte Westerfield | Biology | Molecular genetics of Usher syndrome and other diseases |