Research overview

Cell-cell signalling plays a critical role in establishing the pattern of the early vertebrate embryo. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) peptide ligands have multiple roles in animal development, including early cell-type specification and patterning of the central nervous system. We use the amphibians Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis as models for our studies in early development. We have analyzed the function of a number targets of FGF signalling in amphibian development, including the Cdx genes, which code for a family of homeodomain transcription factors with roles in the development of all animals. We collaborate with Professor Peter Holland (Dept of Zoology, Oxford) in studying Cdx regulated pathways and their role in animal evolution. 

The phenotype of an amphibian embryo in which the function of the Cdx family has been blocked.

We have undertaken transcriptomic based approaches aimed at identifying novel targets of FGF signaling and are investigating the role of a number of these targets in early embryonic development. Amongst the identified FGF target genes are lin28a lin28b, which codes for a novel RNA binding proteins, implicated as regulators of human embryonic stem cells properties in culture. Our analysis indicates that  amphibian lin28 genes play important roles in mediating the normal responses to growth factor signalling in early development. Other ongoing projects include collaborations with Dr Paul Genever (York) and Dr Betsy Pownall (York) investigating the role of transcriptional repressors in regulating the expression of FGF target genes in development and stem cells. We also collaborate with Dr Gareth Evans (York) investigating the role of neuronal specific isoforms of the Src proto-oncogene in development and the childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

Whole mount in situ hybridisations on neurula stage Xenopus tropicalis embryos. Left- expression of a neuronal marker (n-tubulin) in differentiating neurons. Right-expression of Gsh2 in the neurogenic region.