Micro-evo-devo
Evolutionary developmental biology, or evo-devo, is the study of how organismal development evolves to produce morphological diversity. Longshanks provides an opportunity to study the microevolution of development, or how small changes in developmental mechanisms within populations can produce heritable variation in limb bone size and shape.
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Growth plate cell dynamics: the difference in length between Longshanks and control mice is reflected in the way cartilage cells (chondrocytes) in their growth plates regulate rates of long bone growth. We are interested in how the behavior and physiology of these cells has been altered by selection to drive the increased bone growth of Longshanks. See: Marchini and Rolian (2018). |
Genetic regulation of endochondral ossification: Based on gene expression profiling of the growth plates in Longshanks and control mice, we are also investigating novel gene pathways that regulate the rates of longitudinal growth and cartilage matrix production. Our recent work highlighted a previously unknown role of the sodium-potassium ATPase in regulating endochondral ossification and in variation in limb bone length in Longshanks. These studies also have potential applications to understand the etiology of chronic disorders such as osteoarthritis.
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Timing of developmental variation: Heritable phenotypic variation is generated both early (e.g., embryonic patterning) and later developmental processes (e.g., endochondral ossification). In this project, we are looking into how early the differences in tibia length can be detected between Longshanks and control mice. |