Name: Ondine B. Cleaver

Position: Associate Professor

Research Description:

During early development, the embryo acquires its shape and complexity of tissues via the coordination of fundamental cellular processes, such as cell signaling, cell migration, cell adhesion and cell differentiation. During this amazing process, a multitude of different signals must be exchanged between cells at precise times and locations, often in a step-wise manner. Our lab is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie organogenesis in the embryo, using the model organisms mouse and frog.

More specifically, the focus of our research is the developing vascular endothelium. We want to answer the questions: how do tissues direct blood vessel patterning via angiogenic factors and, how does the endothelium, in turn, influence embryonic cell differentiation? Our hypothesis is that reciprocal signals underlie the coordinated growth of blood vessels and morphogenesis of organs, and that mutual signaling forms the basis for interdependent physiological relationships that last into adulthood. Understanding this endothelium-tissue crosstalk will be the focus of our research.

Recently, we have demonstrated a developmental role for endothelium in the induction/maintenance of pancreatic beta cells, while another group has identified its influence on hepatic cells. The gene products and signaling molecules mediating these effects, however, have not been identified. Elucidating the nature of endothelial signals during development will help uncover the role blood vessels play in organogenesis, tumorigenesis, tissue maintenance and perhaps stem cell differentiation.

By using the mouse and the frog as model systems, we are able to combine genetics, molecular manipulations, in vitro culture techniques and classical embryology to investigate cell differentiation, patterning and key signaling molecules in development. Using these techniques, we hope to build a comprehensive picture of the fundamental mechanisms that underlie the coordinated growth and interdependence of blood vessels and organs. Understanding these principles will help us to identify and characterize molecular lesions that underlie human birth defects and disease.

Summary of Research areas: 
Angiogenesis/vasculogenesis
Developmental biology
Diabetes research
Organogenesis
Stem cell differentiation

Contact Information

Address:
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
6000 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas, TX
75390-9148, USA

Web Page: http://profiles.utsouthwestern.edu/profile/72206/ondine-cleaver.html
Phone:  (214) 648-1647
Fax:  (214) 648-1196
General/Lab Phone:  (214)-648-1648