The role of ciliary proteins in tongue development
1st Supervisor: Dr Atsushi Ohazama
2nd Supervisor: Professor Paul Sharpe
Description of project
Cilia are microtubule-based structures found on the surface of almost all mammalian cells. Recent discoveries associating signalling pathways such as Shh and Wnt with primary cilia have made these organelles hubs of signal transduction, that can affect both development and disease. Tongue is one of the most important organs in speech and mastication. It is believed that tongue develop by multiple signalling pathways such as Shh, Wnts, Bmp, Fgf and Tnf.
Aim
To understand the nature of how the changes in cilia function, as a result of mutations in ciliary proteins, have differential effects on tongue development.
Method
We have selected three separate cilia proteins (Kif3a, Ofd1 and Polaris) to study, since the proteins represent the three main aspects of cilia structure and function. As preliminary data, we found mice with mutations of these ciliary proteins showed abnormal tongue formation.
Duration of project: 4 years
Contact for further information
Dr Atsushi Ohazama
Email: atsushi.2.ohazama@kcl.ac.uk
Research Topic: Craniofacial Development and Stem Cell Biology
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