Screening for activators of Xenopus Laevis chordin
This research deals with control of genes that affect axis development in Xenopus laevis. There are two key events that must occur within the embryo for normal development to take place. One event is the formation of germ layers, which includes the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Another key event is the establishment of the dorsal-ventral axis which is marked by genes such as chordin. Germ layer patterning can be studied by the expression of the brachyury gene, whereas dorsal/ventral axis can be studied by the expression of chordin. An expression screen will be undertaken to look for embryonic gene products that regulate germ layer or dorsal/ventral patterning by examining how pools of embryonic RNA regulate brachyury and chordin. Interesting pools will be subdivided by sib-selection to reveal the critical gene products. This project will hopefully lead to the identification of important embryonic gene products.
