Assistant Professor 3901 Rainbow Boulevard
1019 Lied
Kansas City, KS 66160
Office Phone: (913) 588-0341
Lab Phone: (913) 588-0458
Fax: (913) 588-8287
Email: jvivian@kumc.edu
Ph.D., University of Texas-Houston, 1999; Postdoctoral, Case Western Reserve University, University of North Carolina
Cell-cell communication is critical for normal embryogenesis, altering gene expression in target cells to affect their developmental and differentiative potential. Many of the signaling molecules and pathways present in the early embryo are also utilized in adult life and homeostasis. For example, several TGF-beta signaling components that are absolutely required for embryonic development have been shown to be somatically altered in many adult tumors, including colorectal and hepatocellular carcinomas. Thus understanding the functions of these factors in embryogenesis, aided by the rapid and stereotypic development of the mouse embryo, will provide insight into the genetic processes of in tumor progression. The Vivian laboratory is interested in understanding several embryonic signaling, including early patterning and vasculogenesis. We utilize the genetic manipulability of the mouse to understand the molecular mechanisms of embryonic development, including functions of the components of TGF-beta signaling. Our laboratory takes advantage of technical advances in homologous recombination and chemical mutagenesis to generate mutations in the mouse genome.
Myer, A., Wagner, D. S., Vivian, J. L., Olson, E. N., and Klein, W. H. (1997). Wild-type myoblasts rescue the ability of myogenin-null myoblasts to fuse in vivo. Dev. Biol. 185, 127-138.
Vivian, J. L., Gan, L., Olson, E. N., and Klein, W. H. (1999). A hypomorphic myogenin allele reveals distinct myogenin expression levels required for viability, skeletal muscle development, and sternum formation. Dev. Biol. 208, 44-55.
Vivian, J. L., Klein, W. H., and Hasty, P. (1999). Temporal, spatial and tissue-specific expression of a myogenin-lacz transgene targeted to the hprt locus in mice. BioTechniques 27, 154-162.
Vivian, J. L., Olson, E. N., and Klein, W. H. (2000). Thoracic skeletal defects in myogenin- and mrf4-deficient mice correlate with early defects in myotome and intercostal musculature. Dev. Biol. 224, 29-41.
Vivian, J. L., Chen, Y., Yee, D., Schneider, E., and Magnuson, T. (2002). An allelic series of mutations in Smad2 and Smad4 identified in a genotype-based screen of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-mutagenized mouse embryonic stem cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 99, 15542-15547.
Chen, Y., Vivian, J. L., and Magnuson, T. (2003). Gene-based chemical mutagenesis in mouse embryonic stem cells. Methods Enzymol. 365, 406-415.
©
The University of Kansas Medical Center