Developmental genetics
In addition to studies of congenital malformation, basic research programmes are being pursued in mammalian developmental genetics, including stem cell biology (see below), germ cell biology and development and post-implantation development. Many of the programmes are using transgenesis and gene targeting in mice to model genetic disorders and to investigate mammalian gene function and tissue development. Primary areas of research interest include heart, brain, kidney and skeletal development, and tooth differentiation and development. Zebrafish studies are also being employed, notably in understanding cardiac development. A pioneering programme in human developmental genetics aims to establish an electronic atlas of high resolution gene expression patterns in the developing brain and the Institute hosts, together with the Institute of Child Health, London, the MRC-Wellcome Human Developmental Biology Resource.
Principal Investigators
Dr Helen Arthur - Role of TGFB
Receptors in Cardiovascular Development and Disease
Dr Rachel Davies - Cell Cycle
Regulation
Dr David Elliott - The link between
RNA binding proteins and development
Professor Judith Goodship -
Cilia and Development
Dr Deborah Henderson
- Molecular Pathways in cardiac development
Dr Mike Jackson - Genome Instability
and the Genetics of Neuroblastoma
Professor Bernard Keavney - Finding
gene that cause heart and circulatory disease
Professor Susan Lindsay - Gene
expression studies early human development
Dr Colin Miles - The Wilm's Tumour1
Gene in Development and Disaese
Dr Heiko Peters - Genetics control
of craniofacial and tooth development
Professor Tom Strachan - The link
between chromosome segregation and developmental gene regulation
Stem cell biology
The Institute hosts research on human embryonic stem (ES) cells, germline stem
cells and somatic stem cells. ES cell research is aimed at understanding stem
cell pluripotency, self-renewal, survival and epigenetic control of differentiation
and development. The differentiation potential of spermatagonial stem cells
is also being explored in parallel with functional analysis of genes involved
in germline stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Somatic stem cell projects
include programmes on umbilical cord blood stem cells, haematipoietic progenitors,
and limbal stem cells.
Principal Investigators
Dr Lyle Armstrong
- Epigenetic control of stem cell differentiation and development of germ cells
Dr Mary Herbert - Reproductive
Cell Biology
Dr Majlinda Lako - Understanding
human ESC pluripotency, renewal and differentiation to haematopoietic and corneal
lineages
Professor Colin McGuckin - Development
of Adult Stem Cells from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow for regenerative
medicine
Professor Karim Nayernia - From
stem cells to germ cells and back
