Andrew Tomlinson, PhD

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Overview
Research

Overview

During the development of multicellular organisms cells differentiate according to the various developmental pathways into which they are directed. Understanding the mechanisms that direct such developmental decisions is key to understanding the phenomenon of development as a whole. The differentiation pathway that a cell adopts can be influenced either by directives it inherits from its progenitors or by the way it assesses environmental signals. These environmental signals are usually molecules secreted from other cells and the research in essence focuses upon the biochemical nature of cell signaling in development and the control of cell fate. We use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system with which to analyze developmental decisions. Using the genetic wealth of this organism we are able to identify key genes involved in the choice of developmental pathways. We predict the phenotypes of mutations in genes involved in the developmental decisions and then screen for them. Having a mutation in a gene then allows us to isolate it and sequence it to establish the type of protein encoded. The genes can then be reintroduced into the organism and expressed inappropriately to assay the effects of ectopic expression. Since we are largely looking at cell signaling mechanisms, we systematically build a molecular picture of how one cell is able to influence the developmental fate of another. Put another way, we are looking at the biochemistry of signal release, signal reception and interpretation, and subsequent cell differentiation.

Academic Appointments

Professor of Genetics and Development (in Neuroscience)

Gender

Male

Research

Cellular interactions in Drosophila development.

Cells in developing tissues are directed to their appropriate differentiation fate by signals they receive from other cells. A key goal is to understand the mechanisms by which cells produce and release the signals and the processes by which other cells receive and interpret those signals. We examine these processes in the developing fruit fly in both neural and non-neural tissues. The retina is ideally suited for the study of short range signaling, and our investigations focus on how specific photoreceptor cell fates are directed by the intercellular signaling mechanisms. We are also investigating long-range signaling mechanism that direct developmental behavior of cells, both in the retina and in non-neural tissues such as the wing and leg.

Research Interests

Cell Specification and Differentiation
Cellular Interactions in Drosophila Development

Selected Publications

Mason D,Cohen S,OsDonnell J,Baxter K,Chase A. Managed Care Organizations Arrangements with Nurse Practitioners. Nursing Economics,15 (6),306-314.