Developing innovation from regeneration - evolution and development of the pufferfish beak

Supervisor:
Dr. Gareth Fraser

Keywords:
evo-devo; tooth development; regeneration; fish; gene expression; gene networks

Description of project:

Pufferfishes are a recent and relatively simple genomic model, are characterized by a bizarre modified and reduced dentition, resembling a parrot-like beak, composed of just four teeth. This simple dental form is attractive for further study and genetic manipulation to understand the process of lifelong de novo tooth replacement and the development of novel form. The pufferfish dental condition provides an unrivalled and simple system to dissect the gene interactions responsible for both continuous tooth production and morphological modification to form a beak-like jaw. Specifically this project seeks to identify the key genes that regulate the process of continuous tooth replacement – a mechanism that breaks down in mammals typically after only one replacement phase. This project will involve the development of gene expression techniques (including insitu hybridisation) to expand our knowledge of genes responsible for tooth replacement and evolutionary modification of these tissues. The successful candidate will use genetic manipulation techniques (constructing oligo-morpholinos) to knock down and block specific gene function during pufferfish craniofacial development, resulting in the predicted disturbance of continued replacement tooth development that forms the beaked dentition. Essentially, this research will target known regulators of stem-like cells (i.e., Wnt and Notch genes) responsible for continued regulation, maintenance and initiation of life-long tooth replacement.
The study of gene regulation for continued tooth replacement is relevant to our knowledge of all vertebrates, including humans and thus has important biomedical and dental therapy implications. Therefore the project has the potential for great general interest and impact even at the level of general dentistry. Understanding the mechanisms of tooth replacement and genetic regulation of stem-like cell fates are especially poignant given the medical implications of this basic research, especially for knowledge of general tissue regeneration and tooth replacement from fish to humans.

To apply, please complete an online application form which can be found at www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/applying
The closing date is 15th January 2013