Overview
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Research overview:
Genomic extremes in organ development and repair.
The genome provides the blueprint for life. To achieve specialized cell or tissue function, specific genome features can be altered or exploited in extreme ways. My research program focuses on two such extreme genome variations: polyploidy and codon usage bias (defined below). In multicellular organisms with specialized organ systems, the function and regulation of these two extreme genome variations remains largely mysterious. We established accessible models where these two extreme genome variations impact cell and tissue biology.
1) Polyploidy. In numerous tissues or whole organisms, one nucleus can contain tens to thousands of genomes. Such whole genome duplication, or polyploidy, massively alters the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome. We are only just beginning to understand the purposes of polyploidy in three crucial settings: organ development, organ repair, and ectopic polyploidy that can contribute to disease. My laboratory established accessible models of these processes using Drosophila. Our goal is to uncover fundamental functions and distinguishing regulation of polyploidy.
2) Codon usage bias. The genetic code is redundant, with 61 codons encoding 20 amino acids. Despite this redundancy, synonymous codons encoding the same amino acid occur at varying frequencies. “Rare” codons occur least often while other “common” codons occur most often. Altering codon bias across evolution affects mRNA translation and has biological consequences. The impact of codon bias on tissue-specific differentiation has been largely unexplored. In Drosophila, we discovered that the ability to express genes enriched in rare codons is a defining characteristic of at least two specific organs. We are uncovering evidence that these organs express rare codon-enriched genes to achieve cell and tissue-specific identity. We are thus well-poised to define, for the first time, the role of codon bias in tissue-specific development.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
High-speed 4D fluorescence light field tomography of whole freely moving organisms
Journal Article Optica · May 20, 2025 Volumetric fluorescence imaging techniques, such as confocal, multiphoton, light sheet, and light field microscopy, have become indispensable tools across a wide range of cellular, developmental, and neurobiological applications. How ... Full text CiteLoofah, a newly characterized adhesion protein, suppresses cell death in long-livedDrosophilahindgut enterocytes
Preprint · April 5, 2025 Full text CiteSpatial ploidy inference using quantitative imaging.
Preprint · March 17, 2025 Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
BII: Polyploidy: Integration Across Scales and Biological Systems
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Florida · 2024 - 2030Regulation of fertility and reproduction by codon usage: a Drosophila model
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029The Duke Preparing Research scholars In bioMEdical sciences (PRIME): Cancer Research Program
ResearchPreceptor · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2023 - 2028View All Grants