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The
Mortlock laboratory studies the regulation and evolution of several
genes involved in vertebrate
skeletal development.
These
projects will help shed light on the gene regulatory events driving
skeletal bone and cartilage formation, and the structure of genomic
sequences affecting gene regulation. This is relevant to human afflictions
ranging from birth defects to arthritis and osteoporosis. In addition
we are extensively using cross-species genome sequence comparisons
to locate cis-regulatory elements. Currently, the Morltock lab is studying
3 members of the BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Protein) gene family: Gdf6,
Bmp2 and
Bmp4. All are transcribed in complex patterns during vertebrate development.
Precise regulation of these genes is likely controlled by multiple
cis-regulatory elements, which can be located through transgenic analysis.
All three genes are flanked by large "gene deserts" that
contain strongly conserved noncoding sequences. It is likely that the
modification of regulatory sequence has enabled evolution of diverse
skeletal morphologies, so the mapping and function of these sequences
is of great interest. Using mice and/or zebrafish to perform BAC and
plasmid transgene reporter assays, lab members are mapping numerous
long-range conserved sequences flanking each gene.
For
more information about Dr. Mortlock visit his Vanderbilt
Faculty Page
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