Grace
Boekhoff-Falk
Genetics of Brain and Sensory System Development
E-mail: boekhofffalk@wisc.edu
Office Phone: (608) 262-1609
Research Strength: Development: Plasticity and Repair
The Boekhoff-Falk (formerly Panganiban) laboratory studies the development and evolution of the nervous system. Our goals are to elucidate the developmental genetic programs underlying auditory organ, olfactory system and brain formation and to understand how they change during evolution to result in novel morphologies and functions. Our efforts are focused on the genetic and biochemical interactions of the homeodomain transcription factors encoded by the Distal-less (Dll), homothorax (hth), extradenticle (exd) and cut (ct) genes. We are using genetic, molecular (including gene expression array) and biochemical (including chromatin immunoprecipitation) approaches in the genetically tractable model organism, Drosophila melanogaster (fruitfly), to identify and investigate gene networks involved in neural development.
Selected Publications:
- Ebacher, D.J.S., S.V. Todi, D.F. Eberl and G. Boekhoff-Falk. 2007. cut mutant Drosophila auditory organs differentiate abnormally and degenerate. Fly 1:86-94.
- Zhao, G., Boekhoff-Falk, G., Wilson, B.A. and J. B. Skeath. 2007. Linking pattern formation to cell-type specification: Dichaete and Ind directly repress achaete gene expression in the Drosophila CNS. PNAS 104:3847-3852 [PDF]
- Eberl, D.F. and G. Boekhoff-Falk. 2007. Development of the Drosophila Johnston’s organ. Int. J. Dev. Biol. 51: 679-687.
- Bolinger, R.A. and G. Boekhoff-Falk. 2005. Distal-less functions in subdividing the Drosophila thoracic limb primordium. Developmental Dynamics 232:801-816.
- Boekhoff-Falk, G. 2005. Hearing in Drosophila: Development of Johnston’s organ and emerging parallels to vertebrate ear development. Developmental Dynamics 232:550-558.
- Dong, P.D.S., S.V. Todi, D.F. Eberl and G. Boekhoff-Falk. 2003. Drosophila spalt/spalt-related mutants exhibit Townes-Brocks' syndrome phenotypes. PNAS 100:10293-10298.