Evolution of facial shape and skeletal cells

Brian Eames studies the development, evolution, and regeneration of skeletal tissues, such as cartilage and bone.  This seminar will focus on the evolution of development (EvoDevo), highlighting two independent research stories on the cellular and molecular basis for the evolution of skeletal forms and cell types.  Following in the footsteps of Nicole Le Douarin, Brian’s work with Rich Schneider on quail-duck chimaeric embryos showed that neural crest cells drive species-specific facial morphology.  Brian’s research on cartilaginous fishes, such as shark and skate, demonstrated that these animals have bone-like tissues (contradicting their taxonomic designation). Current work in Brian’s lab shows how the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) driving the differentiation of skeletal cells have evolved in different vertebrate lineages, such as mouse, chick, frog, and gar.

Brian Eames
Dept. Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

b.frank@usask.ca