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Faculty
Education Ph.D., Department of Integrative Biology,
University of Research Interests Dr. Gaufo was recently featured on KENS-5 news and interviewed by Wendy Rigby. Dr. Gaufo discussed his research and grant. You can view the video of the feature here. You will need RealPlayer to view the video; it is available for download here. The mammalian nervous system consists of the most complex network of cells in the body. The identity of the billions of cells in the adult nervous system is primarily determined during embryogenesis. However, the molecular and cellular events leading to the distinction of individual nerve cells or neurons and their functional connectivity remain to be characterized. My research interest focuses on elucidating the mechanisms that are necessary for establishing these developmental processes - events also critical in neurogenesis and nerve regeneration in the adult nervous system. My laboratory currently investigates the role of the Homeobox or Hox genes in the developing peripheral and central nervous systems. The Hox genes are a family of evolutionarily conserved genes that encode for transcription factors essential for patterning the body along the anteroposterior axis in all animals. To dissect the complex function of Hox genes, I study classical and conditional knockout mice harboring individual or multiple Hox gene mutations. These genetically modified mice allow the complexity of Hox gene function to be analyzed in a spatially- and temporally-restricted manner. As a complement to these studies, I employ the Cre/loxP conditional system to follow the lineage of cells arising from the embryonic Hox-expressing domains to the adult. The manipulation of Hox gene function through mutational and genetic lineage analyses have revealed a vast array of neuronal and non-neuronal subtypes requiring Hox genes. To further characterize the function of Hox genes, my laboratory utilizes other methods including genome-based microarray, RNA in situ hybridization, protein immunohistochemistry and fluorescent neuron labeling techniques. The use of these varied methods will ultimately aid in the discovery of fundamental mechanisms contributing to the cellular diversity and functional wiring of the nervous system.
Recent Papers Gaufo, G. O., Wu, S., and Capecchi, M. R. (2004). Contribution of Hox genes to the diversity of the hindbrain sensory system. Development 131, 1259-1266. Arenkiel, B. R., Tvrdik, P., Gaufo, G. O., and Capecchi, M. R. (2004). Hoxb1 functions in both motoneurons and in tissues of the periphery to establish and maintain the proper neuronal circuitry. Genes Dev 18, 1539-1552. Gaufo, G. O., Thomas, K. R., and Capecchi, M. R. (2003). Hox3 genes coordinate mechanisms of genetic suppression and activation in the generation of branchial and somatic motoneurons. Development 130, 5191-5201. Arenkiel, B. R., Gaufo, G. O., and Capecchi, M. R. (2003). Hoxb1 neural crest preferentially form glia of the PNS. Dev Dyn 227, 379-386. Gaufo, G. O., Flodby, P., and Capecchi, M. R. (2000). Hoxb1 controls effectors of sonic hedgehog and Mash1 signaling pathways. Development 127, 5343-5354. |
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Gary O. Gaufo, Ph.D.
