Associate Investigator

pat@stowers.org

Angelo Iulianella

Senior Research Associate

ani@stowers.org

My research centers on the mechanisms that generate new neurons during development and how these newborn neurons are patterned correctly to integrate into functional neuronal circuits in both the spinal cord and brain. The study includes the role of the Cut family of proteins in the regulation of when a neuron is born in the embryo and adult mouse. I also use mouse genetic models to study the role of the hedgehog signaling pathway to regulate the patterning of the different neuronal subtypes during spinal cord development.

Update: Dr. Iulianella will be setting up his own lab with the Department of Medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada in September 2009.

Lisa Sandell

Senior Research Associate

lls@stowers.org

The goal of my research is to understand the molecules and signaling pathways that govern patterning and morphogenesis of the head and heart during mammalian embryonic development.  Taking a genetic approach to identify new genes involved in these processes, I have generated a novel retinoid-deficient mouse line that lacks the ability to metabolize Vitamin A into its active form, retinoic acid. The retinoid-deficient mouse line has defects in many organs including the heart, lungs and the digestive system as well as defects in development of craniofacial structures.  The abnormalities produced by retinoid deficiency make the mutant line a model system for the human birth defect DiGeorge Syndrome.  The focus of my current research is to understand the mechanism whereby Vitamin A metabolism and retinoic acid signaling are critical for regulating proper development of cardiac and craniofacial structures during embryogenesis.

Daisuke Sakai

Senior Research Associate

dsa@stowers.org

I received my Ph.D. in Biology from the Tokyo Metropolitan University in Tokyo, Japan. Prior to coming to the Stowers Institute, I did a postdoc in Professor Noriko Osumi’s lab at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. While there, I studied molecular mechanism of neural crest induction in chick embryo with Associate Professor Yoshio Wakamatsu. Currently I am a Senior Research Associate in the Trainor lab since February 2006. My research includes understanding the function of Tcof1, the gene responsible for Treacher Collins syndrome in mouse brain development. 

Amanda Barlow

Senior Research Associate

ajb@stowers.org

My research is focused on the examination of the cellular and molecular processes that underlie Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR). This is a common disease that affects 1:5000 live births which is caused by the inability of the neural crest cells to completely colonise the entire length of the gut wall. The consequence of the lack of enteric neurons is sustained muscular contraction of this portion of the bowel and incontinence. I am currently investigating the role that the Tcof1 gene plays in affecting the susceptibility to HSCR in mice.   

Kimberly Inman

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

kei@stowers.org

Craniofacial morphogenesis requires proper migration of neural crest cells to specific locations within the developing embryo and subsequent differentiation into appropriate cell types. These processes are complex requiring multiple signaling events within and between the neural crest cells themselves, as well as the mesenchymal environment through which neural crest migrate. My current research uses mouse models to study extrinsic factors affecting both neural crest cell migration and differentiation. Additionally, I am mapping the lesion in and characterizing an ENU-induced mutant mouse line generated in our lab’s mutagenesis screen for new genes important to craniofacial development.

Macie Walker

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

mwa@stowers.org

My research involves developing both zebrafish and mouse models of congenital craniofacial malformations.  Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare craniofacial disorder characterized by reductions in the size of facial bones, cleft palate, and ear abnormalities.  These facial abnormalities arise due to defects in the gene, tcof1.  The Trainor lab is currently studying a mouse model of TCS.  Without a conditional knockout it is impossible to assess in mice the consequences of a complete loss of Tcof1 function due to implantation lethality of homozygous tcof1 mouse mutants.  This can be overcome by a zebrafish model of TCS as we can determine tissue specific sensitivities to reductions in Tcof1 function by varying dosages of tcof1 morpholino injected.  Therefore, a zebrafish model of TCS will complement studies that are already underway in the lab, as well as adding a new dimension to studying TCS.  We have cloned the zebrafish tcof1 gene and developed a zebrafish model of TCS.

I have also cloned two enu-induced mouse mutants which have defects in craniofacial tissues, and am pursuing the mapping of a third mouse mutant.

Kazushi Aoto

Postdoctoral Research Associate

kaa@stowers.org

Megan Lynn

Research Technician III

mlm@stowers.org

I am currently conducting a search to identify and characterize candidate genes responsible for the phenotypic variance in the mouse model of Treacher Collins Syndrome.  In addition, I am studying an ENU mutagenized mouse line, Grimace, which contains a mutation in Raldh2, and how this mutation affects the RA synthesis pathway.  

Raul Diaz

Ph.D. Student

red@stowers.org

I am interested in studying the development and evolution of the vertebrate cranium through molecular genetic tools and comparative morphology.

Shachi Bhatt

Ph.D. Student

sbh@stowers.org

Carolyn Randolph

Senior Administrative Assistant

cgr@stowers.org

I have been the senior administrative assistant in the Trainor Lab since May 2007. My responsibilities include the efficient operations of the lab on a daily basis.