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Mustafa Khokha |
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| Assistant Professor |
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BS Northwestern University
MD Northwestern University School of Medicine
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PSDP Fellow
Kingsley Fellowship in Medical Research
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| Research Interests: | |
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Establishment of Vertebrate Body Plan
Embryonic Patterning and gene regulatory networks
Xenopus (frog) Genetics
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| Current Research: | |
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| We are interested in how embryonic pattern is generated. During
development, the egg which exhibits cylindrical symmetry must undergo
a number of symmetry breaking events in order to form the vertebrate
body plan and establish correct pattern along the body axes. We are
deeply interested in the gene regulatory networks that are necessary
to create critical signals in specific embryonic locations at
appropriate developmental stages. These signals must be carefully
orchestrated in order to generate forms that are essential to
function and the overall fitness of the organism.
Using the frog, Xenopus tropicalis, as an efficient vertebrate model
system, we are developing genetic tools to dissect these gene
regulatory networks. We are performing forward and reverse genetic
screens to identify mutants that affect early embryonic patterning.
In addition, we are developing new technologies to create F0
transgenic Xenopus embryos to rapidly and easily analyze cis-
regulatory elements that are essential to the formation of
regulatory genetic networks.
These studies are then complemented by mouse genetics to determine
conserved functions in mammals and better approximate human biology.
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| Representative Publications: | |
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| Khokha M.K., Yeh J., Grammer T.C., Harland RM. Depletion of Three BMP
Antagonists from Spemann's Organizer Leads to a Catastrophic Loss of
Dorsal Structures. Developmental Cell 2005 Mar;8(3):401-11.
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| Khokha M.K., Hsu D., Brunet L.J., Dionne M.S., Harland R.M. Gremlin
is the BMP antagonist required for maintenance of Shh and Fgf signals
during limb patterning. (2003) Nature Genetics Jul;34(3):303-7.
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| Grammer T.C., Khokha M.K., Lane M.A., Lam K., Harland R.M.
Identification of Mutants in Inbred Xenopus tropicalis. Mechanisms of
Development 2005 Mar;122(3):263-72.
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Khokha MK, Loots GG. Strategies for characterising cis-regulatory
elements in Xenopus. Brief Funct Genomic Proteomic. 2005 May;4(1):58-68.
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| Contact Information: | |
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