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A Molecular Basis For Craniofacial Laterality In Fishes, Karen Adams
A Molecular Basis For Craniofacial Laterality In Fishes, Karen Adams
Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All
Laterality, the preference for development on one side of the body, is essential to the vertebrate body plan. While the vertebrate skeleton usually develops symmetrically, the processes underlying craniofacial laterality are not well understood. Using zebrafish and cichlids as model organisms, this study focuses on the molecular basis of symmetric craniofacial development. Fgf8, Retinoic Acid, and wnt11 were examined to analyze their involvement in regulating craniofacial laterality. Fgf8 is known to play a role in proper jaw development. Because fgf8 and Retinoic Acid interact to achieve laterality of the somites during somitogenesis, the role of Retinoic Acid in regulating …