Concurrent Symposia Sessions

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Natcher Conference Center
Symposia Session III
Conference Room F1/F2

Co-Chairs: Ivan Rebustini, NIDCR and Matthew Hoffman, NIDCR

Morphogenesis is an essential developmental process during which an organ takes or changes its shape, and occurs during embryogenesis, in mature organisms, or inside a tumor mass. Understanding the mechanisms regulating this process is fundamental to provide tools for regenerative medicine, and insights into tumor growth regulation. At the molecular level, morphogenesis involves cell surface receptor signaling, activation of transcription factors, and coordinated gene expression. Cellular mechanisms that regulate organ morphogenesis include cell migration and adhesion, cytoskeleton dynamics and polarization, proliferation and differentiation. The extracellular matrix plays an essential role providing local cues to regulate molecular and cellular processes, and a three-dimensional scaffold for cell attachment and migration. In addition, organ morphogenesis requires multiple tissue interactions such as epithelium, mesenchyme, endothelium, and neurons. In this symposium, our speakers will discuss aspects of the molecular, cellular, extracellular, and multi-tissue interactions associated with organ morphogenesis.

Program

Presentation by FARE Award Winner
Cdk4 Controls Endocrine Pancreatic Precursor Development via E2F1-mediated Regulation of Neurogenin 3
So Yoon Kim, NIDDK

Interaction Among Hedgehog, Gli3 & Hoxd Genes Regulating Digit Pattern and Morphogenesis
Susan Mackem, NCI

Cell-matrix Interactions During Epithelial Branching Morphogenesis
Kenneth Yamada, NIDCR

Development of the Cochlea: The Mammalian Auditory Organ
Matthew Kelley, NIDCD

Signaling Pathways Regulating Angiogenesis
Brant Weinstein, NICHD