University of Texas at Austin
Research Interests
The function of the craniofacial complex requires that multiple cell types are generated and
integrate in the right place at the right time. How do cells accomplish this feat? Current work in
the lab exams the role of the Retinoic Acid signaling pathway in the attachment of tendons to
the muscles that mediate opening of the jaw. We are also examining the role of the
transcription factor Gata3 and its interaction with the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in the
development of the palatal skeleton.
Prenatal alcohol exposures are a known cause of birth defects, termed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder (FASD). While an alcohol exposure is required to develop FASD, the outcomes of
alcohol exposures vary widely. Human twin studies demonstrate a strong genetic component to
the susceptibility to FASD. We use zebrafish genetics and analyses in cell culture to characterize
this susceptibility in cells that make the face and brain. Current work in the lab uses genetics
and proteomics to examine how oxidative stress, mTOR signaling, and autophagy influence
ethanol teratogenesis. We are also using scRNA-seq to identify and characterize cell types that
are particularly sensitive to ethanol.
Smoking is another common exposure that is a known cause of birth defects. We have
demonstrated that nicotine exposure results in facial, neural, and behaviors alterations in
zebrafish. We have also shown that the metabolism of nicotine in zebrafish matches what
occurs in humans. Current work is characterizing the relative effects of nicotine versus its
metabolites on development and determining how genetic disruption of nicotine metabolism
alters exposure outcomes. RNA-seq is being used to determine the mechanisms by which
nicotine exposure disrupts development.
Environmental exposures most often occur in mixtures, where the combined effect of multiple
chemicals result in birth defects. In addition to combined exposures of nicotine and alcohol, we
are interested in determining the combinatorial action of environmental toxicants. Thousands of
chemicals are present in our environment and exposures can occur without an individual’s
knowledge. We are using high throughput screening of zebrafish to detect exposure-induced
defects and transcriptomics to predict co-exposures that are likely to have deleterious effects in
mixtures.
