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Aimée Ryan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics Associate Member, Department of Human Genetics MUHC-MCH Research Institute |
Research:
My lab is interested in understanding how organs are formed and patterned during embryonic development. The pituitary gland originates from an invagination of oral ectoderm (Rathke’s pouch) and the evagination of the infundibulum from the ventral diencephalon (site of the future hypothalamus) within the first 5 weeks of embryogenesis. Subsequently differentiated cell types appear in response to signalling molecules released from the surrounding tissues and intracellular interactions. In addition, we are studying the function of the homeodomain transcription factor, Pitx2. Mutations in the Pitx2 homeodomain and transactivation domain lead to Rieger’s syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder which often has associated growth defects.
Selected Publications:
Vrljicak, P., Myburgh, D., Ryan, A.K., van Rooijen, M.A., Mummery, C.L. and I. R. Gupta. (2004) Smad expression during kidney development. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 286 (4): F625-F633.
Simard, A.**, Di Pietro, E.* and Ryan, A.K. (2005) Gene expression pattern of claudin-1 during chick embryogenesis. Gene Expression Patterns 5:553-560.
Simard, A.**, Di Pietro, E.*, Young, C.*, Plaza, S.* and A. K. Ryan. (2006) Alterations in heart looping induced by overexpression of the tight junction protein Claudin-1 are dependent on its C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Mechanisms of Development 123: 210-227.