The major focus of my research is to understand the molecular control of organ formation and cell-type specification. In particular, we are focusing on the role that homeobox genes play in early organogenesis and hematopoiesis. Current projects in my laboratory are focused on determining the function that the divergent homeobox gene Hhex plays during organogenesis. Based on a null mutation of Hhex generated in my laboratory, we have determined that Hhex is crucial for early liver specification and morphogenesis, heart and vascular development, and lymphopoiesis. We plan to determine the precise role of Hhex in these critical developmental processes and the factors with which it interacts using mouse molecular genetics, conditional gene knockouts, and transgenic overexpression in specific cells and tissues. By studying the specific role of Hhex during development, we will gain important insight into the basic developmental mechanisms involved in early organogenesis of a number of different organs. Ultimately, we plan to use the knowledge obtained by our study of the basic mechanisms of organ development to repair and regenerate organs and tissues in humans.

Bogue CW, Zhang P.-X., McGrath J, Jacobs HC and Fuleihan RL. Impaired B cell development in mice with a targeted disruption of the homeobox gene Hex. Proc Natl Acad Sci, USA. 100(2): 556-561, 2003.

Puppin C, D'Elia AV, Pellizzari L, Russo D, Arturi F, Presta I, Filetti S, Bogue CW, Denson LA, Damante G Thyroid-specific transcription factors control Hex promoter activity. Nuc Acids Res 31(7):1845-1852, 2003.