My lab studies epithelial wound healing in the emerging model cnidarian Clytia hemisphaerica. The cnidarian lineage diverged from the bilaterian lineage approximately 600 million years ago, yet many genes and processes are shared between these basal metazoans and more complex animals. Studying wound healing in Clytia allows us to understand the ancient evolutionary origins of mechanisms regulating this process. We have found that epithelial healing is 100x faster in Clytia that in other model systems. Furthermore, the single monolayer of epithelial cells and overall simplicity of Clytia anatomy allows the dynamic process of healing to be visualized at high resolution in live animals. Therefore, Clytia provides a powerful and novel model for wound healing processes that have been conserved over evolutionary time. We are currently focusing on rapid, transcription-independent signaling pathways that regulate cell interactions with the extracellular matrix during epithelial woud closure.
New York University
New York, NY
Post Doctoral Fellowship - Plant Biology
1999
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NY
Ph.D. - Microbiology
1993
Tufts University
Medford, MA
BS - Biology
1985
Epithelial wound healing in Clytia hemisphaerica provides insights into extracellular ATP signaling mechanisms and P2XR evolution.
Epithelial wound healing in Clytia hemisphaerica provides insights into extracellular ATP signaling mechanisms and P2XR evolution. Sci Rep. 2023 11 01; 13(1):18819.
PMID: 37914720
Characterizing Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo Using the Cnidarian Model Organism Clytia hemisphaerica.
Characterizing Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo Using the Cnidarian Model Organism Clytia hemisphaerica. J Vis Exp. 2023 02 10; (192).
PMID: 36847403
An orientation-independent DIC microscope allows high resolution imaging of epithelial cell migration and wound healing in a cnidarian model.
An orientation-independent DIC microscope allows high resolution imaging of epithelial cell migration and wound healing in a cnidarian model. J Microsc. 2018 06; 270(3):290-301.
PMID: 29345317
In vivo imaging of epithelial wound healing in the cnidarian Clytia hemisphaerica demonstrates early evolution of purse string and cell crawling closure mechanisms.
In vivo imaging of epithelial wound healing in the cnidarian Clytia hemisphaerica demonstrates early evolution of purse string and cell crawling closure mechanisms. BMC Dev Biol. 2017 12 19; 17(1):17.
PMID: 29258421
Cell wall properties play an important role in the emergence of lateral root primordia from the parent root.
Cell wall properties play an important role in the emergence of lateral root primordia from the parent root. J Exp Bot. 2014 May; 65(8):2057-69.
PMID: 24619997
Dissecting the effects of nitrate, sucrose and osmotic potential on Arabidopsis root and shoot system growth in laboratory assays.
Dissecting the effects of nitrate, sucrose and osmotic potential on Arabidopsis root and shoot system growth in laboratory assays. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2012 Jun 05; 367(1595):1489-500.
PMID: 22527391
Arabidopsis Lateral Root Development 3 is essential for early phloem development and function, and hence for normal root system development.
Arabidopsis Lateral Root Development 3 is essential for early phloem development and function, and hence for normal root system development. Plant J. 2011 Nov; 68(3):455-67.
PMID: 21749503
Root system architecture in Arabidopsis grown in culture is regulated by sucrose uptake in the aerial tissues.
Root system architecture in Arabidopsis grown in culture is regulated by sucrose uptake in the aerial tissues. Plant Cell. 2008 Oct; 20(10):2643-60.
PMID: 18952782
Transgene expression in regenerated roots.
Transgene expression in regenerated roots. CSH Protoc. 2007 Feb 01; 2007:pdb.prot4691.
PMID: 21357026
The putative high-affinity nitrate transporter NRT2.1 represses lateral root initiation in response to nutritional cues.
The putative high-affinity nitrate transporter NRT2.1 represses lateral root initiation in response to nutritional cues. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Sep 20; 102(38):13693-8.
PMID: 16157886