Dr. Scott Gilbert
Selected Recent Papers:
Cebra-Thomas, J., Tan, F., Sistla, S., Estes, E., Bender, G., Kim, C., and Gilbert, S. F. 2005. How the turtle forms its shell: A paracrine hypothesis of carapace formation. J. Exp. Zool. B: 558 – 569
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| The carapace of a red eared slider turtle embryo stained for cartilage (blue, arrow), and bone (red) |
We propose a two-step model for the evolutionary origin of the turtle shell. (1) We show here that the carapacial ridge (CR) is critical for the entry of the ribs into the dorsal dermis, and present evidence that FGF signaling is critical for this to happen. (2) We demonstrate that once the ribs are in the dermis, they act as signaling centers for the conversion of dermis into bone. This stage is dependent on BMP signaling.
Mikhailov, A. T./Gilbert S. F. 2005. Putting evo-devo into focus: An interview with Scott F. Gilbert. International Journal of Developmental Biology 48: 9 – 16.
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| An in situ hybridization demonstrating the expression of the Fgf10 gene in the mesoderm beneath the ectoderm of the carapacial ridge |
This is the interview on the occasion of Scott’s winning the Kowalevsky Prize in Evolutionary Developmental Biology.
Gilbert, S. F. and Howes-Mischel 2004. "Show Me Your Original Face before You Were Born": The Convergence of Public Fetuses and Sacred DNA. History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences 26: 377 – 394.
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The media is playing an active role in determining for American society when human life begins. Two “facts” are being created and propagated in the media. One is that the fetus is autonomous and the other is that DNA is the secular equivalent of soul. These converge to give the false impression that fertilization is an ensoulment process.
Cebra-Thomas, J. A., Bromer, J., Gardiner, R., Lam, G. K.,
Scheipe, H., and Gilbert, S. F. 2003. T-box gene products are required
for mesenchymal induction of epithelial branching in the embryonic mouse
lung. Developmental
Dynamics 226: 82 - 90.
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| Tbx5 expression (red) visualized by in situ hybridization on sections of embryonic mouse lung (blue) |
We have shown that the branching of the respiratory tube
is mediated by the Tbx4 and Tbx5 transcription factors. By incubating developing
mouse lungs in antisense oligonucleotide to the Tbx4 and Tbx5
mRNAs, we demonstrated that these two proteins activated the gene encoding
fibroblast growth factor 10 (fgf10).Without Fgf10, no new branching occurred,
and the addition of Fgf10 was able to circumvent the blocking effects of
the antisense oligonucleotides.
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