Developmental Biology follows the progression of a single cell to a multi-cellular organism that has well defined tissues and organs. This process involves all aspects of biology, including cell biology, gene expression and signal transduction, all transpiring in a three-dimensional, multicellular organism. Recently developed genetic and genomic approaches have greatly accelerated the pace of these studies and our understanding of the underlying genetic and molecular processes. Our department is applying its unique strengths in the areas of gene expression, signal transduction, cell biology, proteomics and bioinformatics to elaborate new developmental pathways and processes. The majority of this work is conducted with well-established model organisms, and the results applied to the closely related developmental and disease processes that occur in humans.

Researchers in BBDMR are international leaders in this area with projects that focus on the following processes: design of the embryonic blueprint by transcription factors (Krause), hormonal regulation of differentiation and development (Krause, Schimmer) cellular adhesion molecules and tissue morphogenesis (Siu), chemo-attractants and axon guidance (Siu), signal transduction pathways (Schimmer, Boone, Krause and Siu), cytoplasmic trafficking of messenger RNAs and effects on intercellular communication (Krause), cell division and morphology (Boone) and muscle and heart function (MacLennan).