Research Areas

Aging

Apoptosis and Development

The morphology of rat ovarian surface epithelial cells (ROSE-179 cells) after 24 hours of culture under serum-free conditions.Figure: The morphology of rat ovarian surface epithelial cells (ROSE-179 cells) after 24 hours of culture under serum-free conditions. The cells were stained with hydroethidine and observed under fluorescent optics to visualize the nuclei. Numerous apoptotic cells are observed as evidenced by their condensed and fragmented nuclei. These cells are also shrunken and have reduced cell contact. The nuclei of normal cells are lightly stained and can be seen in the background. (A X 300). Photo taken from: Trolice MP, Pappalardo A and Peluso JJ: Basic fibroblast growth factor and N-cadherin maintain rat granulosa cell and ovarian surface epithelial cell viability by stimulating the tyrosine phosphorylation of the fibroblast growth Factor receptors. Endocrinology 138: 107-113, 1997.

Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions

The epidermal cells of a Drosophila embryo Figure: The epidermal cells of a Drosophila embryo elongate as they close over the dorsal midline. Cells are stained with an antibody against Spectrin.

Differentiation and Morphogenesis

Figure: A human blastocyts derived from an oocytes that was fertilized in vitro by two spermFigure: A human blastocyts derived from an oocytes that was fertilized in vitro by two sperm. This embryo developed after three day of culture. Photo courtesy of Linda Siano and Jean Jeanings, In Vitro Fertilization Program, UConn Health.

Genetics and Human Disease

Figure: Family with compound heterozygosity for N540K and G380R mutations.Figure: Family with compound heterozygosity for N540K and G380R mutations. Note the proband (II-1) who inherited the N540K mutations from her mother who is affected with hypochondroplasia. The proband inherited the G380R mutation from her father who has achondroplasia. Panels TM and TK1 show the sequences surrounding the G380R and the N540K mutations respectively. From: Prinos, P, Costa, T, Sommer, A, Kilpatrick, M.W. and Tsipouras, P. (1997). A common FGFR3 gene mutation in hypochondroplasia. Hum. Mol. Genetics., 4: 2097-2101.

Limb Development/Bone Formation

Limb Development

Bone Formation

Chick embryo demonstrating induction of a spernumerary limbFigure: Chick embryo demonstrating induction of a spernumerary limb following implantation of Hensen's node into the flank lateral plate mesechyme. X13. From: Dealy, C.N. Hensen's node provides an endogenous limb-forming signal. Dev. Bio., 1997, 188:pp 216-223 (Aug 15 issue).

RNA Processing and Gene Regulation

Signal Transduction in Development

Calcium action potential and wave of calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum during fertilization of a starfish egg.Figure: Calcium action potential and wave of calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum during fertilization of a starfish egg. The egg was injected with the indicator calcium green dextran, and imaged using confocal microscopy. From: Carroll, D.J., Ramarao, C.S., Mehlmann, L.M., Roche, S., Terasaki, M., and Jaffe, L.A. (1997). Calcium release at fertilization in starfish eggs is mediated by phospholipase Cg. J. Cell Biol.