Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology (LCDB)
Jurrien Dean, M.D., Chief
Ann Dean, Ph.D.
Alan R. Kimmel, Ph.D.
Elissa Lei, Ph.D.
Brian Oliver, Ph.D.
Five independent research groups investigate critical elements of cell and developmental biology. These studies employ a wide range of approaches to understand the molecular basis of normal and abnormal biology. They include investigation of developmentally programmed gene expression, functional genomics, chromatin and epigenetic modifications that regulate gene expression, signal transduction in multi-cellular organisms, chemotaxis, lipid storage droplet biology, sex determination, fertilization, and early development.
Investigators within the laboratory utilize a variety of simple and multicellular experimental systems including tissue culture cell lines, Dictyostelium, Drosophila, and mice. Each research group exploits modern cell and molecular experimental techniques such as genetic mutation, reporter gene assays, state-of-the-art imaging, and computational analysis of genome-wide scans, including gene expression profiling, heterozygote deletion series, and chromatin immunoprecipitation.
The multiplicity of approaches and experimental systems provide a stimulating and challenging intellectual environment in which approximately 40 scientists interactively pursue their research objectives.
Page last updated: December 12, 2011
