Connection | Profiles RNS

Search Result Details

Back to Search Results

This page shows the details of why an item matched the keywords from your search.

Search Results

Ferguson, Edwin L.

One or more keywords matched the following properties of Ferguson, Edwin L.

Property	Value
keywords	Development and Evolution
overview	The lab approaches questions of pattern formation and cell fate specification in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Our current interests are the mechanisms underlying the patterning of the embryonic dorsal-ventral (D/V) axis and the asymmetric self-renewal divisions of adult stem cells. The main focus of lab has been on the role of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) family member Decapentaplegic (Dpp) in patterning the D/V axis. Over the years, my laboratory discovered the conservation of dorsal-ventral patterning mechanisms between arthropods and chordates, identified the function of the Spemann organizer in Xenopus, showed that a non-linear feedback circuit resulted in a bistable pattern of BMP signaling during Drosophila D/V patterning, identified a genetic network that confers robustness to the D/V patterning system in Drosophila, and was involved in a collaboration to demonstrate that spatial-temporal changes in the BMP gradient drove morphological changes during Dipteran evolution. We have also investigated the processes responsible for the maintenance of the germ line stem cells (GSCs) in the adult ovary. The GSCs are present in a niche composed of non-dividing somatic cells, and these cells secrete BMP ligands necessary for GSC maintenance. The GSC has high levels of BMP signaling, while its sister cell, the Cystoblast, has low levels of BMP signaling and begins the process of differentiation. We have identified multiple redundant mechanisms that aid in creating this dichotomy in BMP signaling between sister cells. In particular, we have shown that interactions between the GSC and the surrounding niche cells create an intrinsic polarity in the GSC that both controls the plane of GSC division and elevates responsiveness to Dpp within the GSC. Recently, we have shown that GSCs can be maintained in the niche with very low levels of BMP signaling, which has implications for stem cell maintenance during aging. Note: Dr. Ferguson is not currently taking new graduate students.

Property

Value

keywords

Development and Evolution

overview

The lab approaches questions of pattern formation and cell fate specification in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Our current interests are the mechanisms underlying the patterning of the embryonic dorsal-ventral (D/V) axis and the asymmetric self-renewal divisions of adult stem cells. The main focus of lab has been on the role of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) family member Decapentaplegic (Dpp) in patterning the D/V axis. Over the years, my laboratory discovered the conservation of dorsal-ventral patterning mechanisms between arthropods and chordates, identified the function of the Spemann organizer in Xenopus, showed that a non-linear feedback circuit resulted in a bistable pattern of BMP signaling during Drosophila D/V patterning, identified a genetic network that confers robustness to the D/V patterning system in Drosophila, and was involved in a collaboration to demonstrate that spatial-temporal changes in the BMP gradient drove morphological changes during Dipteran evolution. We have also investigated the processes responsible for the maintenance of the germ line stem cells (GSCs) in the adult ovary. The GSCs are present in a niche composed of non-dividing somatic cells, and these cells secrete BMP ligands necessary for GSC maintenance. The GSC has high levels of BMP signaling, while its sister cell, the Cystoblast, has low levels of BMP signaling and begins the process of differentiation. We have identified multiple redundant mechanisms that aid in creating this dichotomy in BMP signaling between sister cells. In particular, we have shown that interactions between the GSC and the surrounding niche cells create an intrinsic polarity in the GSC that both controls the plane of GSC division and elevates responsiveness to Dpp within the GSC. Recently, we have shown that GSCs can be maintained in the niche with very low levels of BMP signaling, which has implications for stem cell maintenance during aging. Note: Dr. Ferguson is not currently taking new graduate students.

One or more keywords matched the following items that are connected to Ferguson, Edwin L.

Item Type	Name
Concept	Disorders of Sex Development
Concept	Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Concept	Evolution, Molecular
Concept	Embryonic Development
Academic Article	Spatially restricted activation of the SAX receptor by SCW modulates DPP/TKV signaling in Drosophila dorsal-ventral patterning.
Academic Article	The Drosophila Medea gene is required downstream of dpp and encodes a functional homolog of human Smad4.
Academic Article	The DSmurf ubiquitin-protein ligase restricts BMP signaling spatially and temporally during Drosophila embryogenesis.
Academic Article	Germline stem cell number in the Drosophila ovary is regulated by redundant mechanisms that control Dpp signaling.
Academic Article	Fish are like flies are like frogs: conservation of dorsal-ventral patterning mechanisms.
Academic Article	A conserved system for dorsal-ventral patterning in insects and vertebrates involving sog and chordin.
Academic Article	A positive role for Short gastrulation in modulating BMP signaling during dorsoventral patterning in the Drosophila embryo.
Academic Article	A genetic network conferring canalization to a bistable patterning system in Drosophila.
Academic Article	Functional evolution of a morphogenetic gradient.
Academic Article	The multivulva phenotype of certain Caenorhabditis elegans mutants results from defects in two functionally redundant pathways.
Academic Article	EEL-1, a Hect E3 ubiquitin ligase, controls asymmetry and persistence of the SKN-1 transcription factor in the early C. elegans embryo.
Academic Article	Localized enhancement and repression of the activity of the TGF-beta family member, decapentaplegic, is necessary for dorsal-ventral pattern formation in the Drosophila embryo.
Academic Article	Wnt and EGF pathways act together to induce C. elegans male hook development.

Search Criteria

Development
Evolution