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.