Developmental gene expression profiling for novel mediators of epithelial fusion in the chick embryo (360G-Wellcome-211602_Z_18_Z)

Title: Developmental gene expression profiling for novel mediators of epithelial fusion in the chick embryo. Hypothesis: Tissue fusion processes in vertebrates are essential for normal embryonic development. Novel factors recently identified in our lab using transcriptome profiling during epithelial fusion within the embryonic chick eye may have roles in fusion in additional embryonic contexts. We will perform whole mount in situ hybridization for the genes NTN1, FLRT3, CYP1B1 and RGMB using chicken embryos at key fusion stages in the developing neural tube, body wall and heart. These analyses will inform us whether the protein products of these genes are required for fusion in these tissues. Uniquely in the chicken embryo, the palatal shelves do not fuse. Therefore, identification of continual gene expression in the developing non-fusing palate will also help to identify which of these factors may act to prevent fusion. Data will be collected and analysed using brightfield microscopy and optical projection tomography (OPT). Key goals: (i) Establish spatial gene expression profiles for four genes between chick embryonic stages HH16-26; (ii) determine those genes with conserved roles in fusion for multiple tissues; (iii) categorize genes into likelihood of promotion or inhibition of tissue fusion.