James A. Coffman, Ph.D. Investigator jcoffman@mdibl.org 207-288-9880 ext 444
Laboratory Staff: Research Associate: Anthony Robertson, Ph.D. Research Assistant: Alison Coluccio

PHYSIOGENOMIC CONTROL OF SEA URCHIN EMBRYOGENESIS

The Coffman lab uses the sea urchin embryo as a model system to examine physiogenomic systems that control cell fate during animal development. We are particularly interested in gene regulatory networks that coordinate cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. These networks are often susceptible to environmental perturbations, and compromised by genetic mutations that give rise to cancer and other diseases.

Much of our effort is currently focused on the Runx family of transcriptional regulatory proteins. This family plays an essential role in development and contributes to leukemia and other forms of cancer. Since many gene regulatory interactions are evolutionarily conserved, what we learn about Runx function and regulation in sea urchins will shed light on how Runx genes both control development and contribute to cancer in humans.

A second project concerns axis specification - the symmetry breaking process whereby the initial spatial coordinates of the body plan are established. In this context we are studying the role of mitochondrial distribution and redox state in modulating the activities of regulatory proteins involved in specifying the secondary (oral-aboral) axis of the sea urchin embryo.

Research Projects are described in greater detail here.

Research Publications