Grace Boekhoff-Falk

Cell Biology and Genetics of Limb and Nervous System Development

Research Strength: Development: Plasticity and Repair

The Boekhoff-Falk (formerly Panganiban) laboratory studies the development and evolution of limbs, brain and sense organs. Our goals are to understand from what types of structures limbs and neural structures may have arisen during evolution and how their developmental genetic code can be varied to modify both morphologyand function.

Our efforts are focused on the Distal-less (Dll) homeodomain transcription factor. Dll is required for the formation of insect limbs and a variety of peripheral sensory organs. It also is expressed in specific parts of the developing brain. The distinct roles of Dll are likely to be mediated via distinct suites of target genes and to require tissue specific interactions with different cofactors.

We are using genetic, molecular and biochemical approaches in the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to identify and investigate Dll interactions with cofactors and target genes. Because Dll homologs (the Dlx genes) are expressed in the developing appendages and nervous system of vertebrates, we anticipate that our studies will provide insights into vertebrate, as well as arthropod development.

Selected Publications:

Panganiban, G. and J.L.R. Rubenstein. 2002. Developmental functions of the Distal-less (Dlx) homeobox genes. Development 129: 4371-4386. [PDF]
Dong, P.D.S., J.S. Dicks, and G. Panganiban. 2002. Distal-less and homothorax regulate multiple targets to pattern the Drosophila antenna. Development 129: 1967-1974. [PDF]
Chu, J., P.D.S. Dong, and G. Panganiban. 2002. Limb-type specific regulation of bric a brac contributes to morphological diversity. Development 129: 695-704. [PDF]
Dong, P.D.S., J. Chu, and G. Panganiban. 2001. Proximodistal domain specification and interactions in developing Drosophila appendages. Development 128: 2365-2372. [PDF]
Dong, P.D.S., J. Chu, and G. Panganiban. 2000. Coexpression of the homeobox genes distal-less and homothorax determines Drosophila antennal identity. Development 127: 209-216. [PDF]
Panganiban, G. 2000. Distal-less function during Drosophila appendage and sense organ development. Dev. Dynamics 218: 554-562.
Popadic, A., G. Panganiban, D. Rusch, W.A. Shear, and T.C. Kaufman. 1998. Molecular evidence for the gnathobasic derivation of arthropod mandibles and for the appendicular origin of the labrum and other structures. Dev. Genes and Evol. 208: 142-150.


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Grace Boekhoff-Falk Cell Biology and Genetics of Limb and Nervous System Development E-mail: boekhofffalk@wisc.edu Research Strength: Development: Plasticity and Repair The Boekhoff-Falk (formerly Panganiban) laboratory studies the development and evolution of limbs, brain and sense organs. Our goals are to understand from what types of structures limbs and neural structures may have arisen during evolution and how their developmental genetic code can be varied to modify both morphologyand function. Our efforts are focused on the Distal-less (Dll) homeodomain transcription factor. Dll is required for the formation of insect limbs and a variety of peripheral sensory organs. It also is expressed in specific parts of the developing brain. The distinct roles of Dll are likely to be mediated via distinct suites of target genes and to require tissue specific interactions with different cofactors. We are using genetic, molecular and biochemical approaches in the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to identify and investigate Dll interactions with cofactors and target genes. Because Dll homologs (the Dlx genes) are expressed in the developing appendages and nervous system of vertebrates, we anticipate that our studies will provide insights into vertebrate, as well as arthropod development. Selected Publications: Panganiban, G. and J.L.R. Rubenstein. 2002. Developmental functions of the Distal-less (Dlx) homeobox genes. Development 129: 4371-4386. [PDF] Dong, P.D.S., J.S. Dicks, and G. Panganiban. 2002. Distal-less and homothorax regulate multiple targets to pattern the Drosophila antenna. Development 129: 1967-1974. [PDF] Chu, J., P.D.S. Dong, and G. Panganiban. 2002. Limb-type specific regulation of bric a brac contributes to morphological diversity. Development 129: 695-704. [PDF] Dong, P.D.S., J. Chu, and G. Panganiban. 2001. Proximodistal domain specification and interactions in developing Drosophila appendages. Development 128: 2365-2372. [PDF] Dong, P.D.S., J. Chu, and G. Panganiban. 2000. Coexpression of the homeobox genes distal-less and homothorax determines Drosophila antennal identity. Development 127: 209-216. [PDF] Panganiban, G. 2000. Distal-less function during Drosophila appendage and sense organ development. Dev. Dynamics 218: 554-562. Popadic, A., G. Panganiban, D. Rusch, W.A. Shear, and T.C. Kaufman. 1998. Molecular evidence for the gnathobasic derivation of arthropod mandibles and for the appendicular origin of the labrum and other structures. Dev. Genes and Evol. 208: 142-150.

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