Analysis of the Signaling Networks Underlying Endoderm Development

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Heiko Lickert
• Subject Area: Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2002 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5388101

Studies of early mouse development have revealed a few signaling pathways repeatedly used at various times and in various processes during development. Mutations in components of these signaling systems lead to genetic disorders and human diseases. Genetic and biochemical analyses have identified the components transducing each signal from the cell surface into the nucleus. Differential gene regulation is the downstream result which drives differentiation programs during development. Although the signaling pathways are established, very little is known about the executive downstream mediators. The aim of this project is to combine mouse genetics and functional genomics to better understand the underlying mechanisms of endoderm development. Different endoderm-specific signaling mutants will be/ or already were generated. Analysis of their phenotypes will show the functional contribution to endoderm development, and comparison of expression profiles will reveal the target genes activated by the signaling pathways. The long-term goal is the functional analysis of the identified endoderm-spezcific downstream mediators to build a framework to better unerstand endoderm development.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups