A central mechanism regulating the morphogenesis of many organs is
the establishment of reciprocal interactions between a single-layered
epithelium and the underlying mesenchymal cells. During limb development
a specialized thickened epithelium arises in the distal edge of the
bud, this is the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). Communication between
the AER and the distal mesoderm is considered the most remarkable
epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in the formation of the limb. The
crucial function of the AER, as a signaling center, has not only been
revealed by extirpation experiments but also by genetic ablation of its
molecular mediators, such as Fgf8, revealing its role in proximo-distal
patterning in the limb. Nevertheless, the genetic interactions between
the AER and the underlying mesenchyme throughout the bud to limb
transition are still poorly understood. I am currently studying the
temporal transcriptome of the AER and the subAER mesoderm in order to
identify temporal responses and changes in the cellular networks in both
compartments and therefore the interactions between them.
Phone: [+34] 942 206799 ext. 127
Email:
marc.fernandez@unican.es