Research
Organ Specification and Homeostasis
Drosophila salivary gland (SG) formation requires the Hox transcription factors, Sex combs reduced (Scr), Extradenticle (Exd) and Homothorax (Hth); in...
Gene Regulatory Networks
To learn how gene expression is regulated in the forming salivary glands, we are taking genome-wide approaches to identify all of the genes expressed in the early and late stages of salivary gland organogenesis and to uncover how these genes are regulated. This involves single cell RNA sequencing (scRNASeq) of WT stage 10 - 12 (when organs are specified and beginning to form) and stage 13 - 16 (when organs complete their formation and are beginning to function) embryos. We are carrying out similar analyses of RNA from embryos mutant for the major transcription factors expressed in the salivary gland. To complement the scRNASeq studies, we are doing salivary gland-specific chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing studies (ChIP-Seq) using tagged versions of the same transcription factors. Altogether, we expect to uncover the regulatory logic underlying organ development and specialization.
Secretory Capacity and Specificity
The Andrew Lab has discovered that the CrebA/Creb3-like bZIP transcription factors are direct...
Salivary gland and trachea morphogenesis
Salivary glands begin as two dimensional plates of ~144 polarized ectodermal cells each on the ventral surface of the embryo....
Development and Disease Control
Mosquitoes and other insects are vectors for malaria, leishmaniasis, lyme disease, sleeping sickness, river blindness, Dengue fever and Zika -...