INVESTIGATING THE MORPHOGEN DYNAMICS AND A NOVEL ROLE OF BMP SIGNALING DURING ZEBRAFISH DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Morphogens are signaling molecules that guide embryonic development by providing spatial information to cells and regulating cell fate decisions. Though morphogens such as Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) have been studied extensively, many questions still persist regarding their dynamics during early embryogenesis and their specific physiological roles in later developmental stages. In this work, using a combination of genetic and spectroscopic approaches, I attempted to address some of these questions in the context of zebrafish development. First, using techniques such as FCS and FRAP, I provided evidence for the hindered diffusion of BMP ligands and antagonists during zebrafish gastrulation. I then designed and tested several transgenesis approaches that could enable the study of BMP diffusion dynamics in specified tissues at later developmental stages. Lastly, I studied a novel role of BMP signaling in orchestrating the migration of the fin mesenchyme during the development of the zebrafish median fin fold.