Craniofacial Biology
Mail Stop 8120
12801 E. 17th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: 303-724-4562
Fax: 303-724-4580
Email: Kristin.Artinger@ucdenver.edu
Education:
- PhD, Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine
- BS, Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine
Honors and Awards:
- Society for Neuroscience, Rocky Mountain Regional Neuroscience Group, President, 2007-2010
- Keck Foundation Distinguished Young Scholar, UCD nominee, 2005
- Society for Developmental Biology Junior Faculty Representative, 2004-2007
- Basil O’Conner Starter Award, March of Dimes, 2004- 2006
- Pew Biomedical Scholars Award, UCD nominee, 2004
- Scholar Development and Faculty Transition Award (K22), NIDCR/NIH, 2001-2006
- The Medical Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2000-2001
- National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health, 1997-2000
- Schneiderman Graduate Research Award, University of California, Irvine, 1995
- Regents Dissertation Fellowship, University of California, Irvine, 1995
- Edward Steinhaus Memorial Award for Teaching, University of California, Irvine 1994-1995
Departmental Affiliations:
- Craniofacial Biology
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, joint appointment, UCD
- Department of Pediatrics, joint appointment, UCD
- Department of Biology, affiliate member, CSU
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Population Biology, member graduate faculty, UCB
- Member, University of Colorado Cancer Center, UCD
Research Interests:
Research in my lab is directed toward an understanding of the molecular, genetic and developmental mechanisms involved in the development of neural crest during vertebrate embryogenesis. There are several different populations of cells at the lateral border of the neural plate in addition to neural crest cells including Rohon-Beard sensory neurons and placodal cells. One of these cell populations, namely neural crest cells, have the extraordinary ability to retain stem cell-like characteristics during development and give rise to multiple derivatives, including peripheral neurons, pigment cells and craniofacial cartilage, which makes up most of the vertebrate face. This combination has made it an attractive model system to study cell fate specification and differentiation. The work has focused on these specific areas:
- Identification of genetic hierarchies involved in the specification and differentiation of neural crest cells.
- Understanding the developmental relationships and potential of neural crest progenitors to maintain a stem cell-like fate.
To answer these questions, we primarily use the zebrafish model in addition to the frog, Xenopus lavis and the mouse. To identity the molecular mechanisms involved in specifying these cells, we have focused on the role of transcription factors in this process. We have recently determined that a zinc finger transcription factor, prdm1a, is required for the specification of neural crest cells and Rohon-Beard sensory neurons. Once neural crest cells are specified, they then migrate out of the CNS and differentiate into specific derivatives, including craniofacial cartilage. We have uncovered a role for chemokine signaling in neural crest migration as well an additional role for prdm1a in the differentiation of craniofacial structures. Embryos that have a loss of prdm1a function have a severe reduction in posterior craniofacial structures suggesting a later role of prdm1a in differentiation of neural crest cells in the branchial arches. In taking advantage of the both the multiple developmental systems, we hope to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible determination of neural crest cell pattern early at the neural plate border and later in the craniofacial development. Ultimately, we hope to combine molecular genetic with experimental approaches to generate an understanding of the process of neural crest development and regeneration in vertebrates. The mechanisms identified in these studies will likely yield important information for the prevention and repair of neural crest associated birth defects, such as cleft-lip and palate.
Recent Publications:
Killian, E. O. Hernandez-Lagunas, L.A. Artinger, K.B. (2010) prdm1a regulates sox10 and islet1 in the development of neural crest and Rohon-Beard sensory neurons. Genesis, in press.
Birkholz, D., Killian, E., and Artinger, K.B. (2009) prdm1a is necessary for posterior pharyngeal arch development in zebrafish. Developmental Dynamics, 238, 2575-2587. PMID: 19777590
Killian, E. O., Birkholz, D.A. and Artinger, K.B. (2009) A novel role for chemokine signaling in neural crest migration and craniofacial development. Developmental Biology 333 (1), 161-172 PMID: 19576198
Rossi, C.C., Kaji, T., Artinger, K.B. (2009) Transcriptional control of Rohon-Beard sensory neuron development at the neural plate border. Developmental Dynamics 238(4):931-943. PMID: 19301392
Clouthier, D.E., Gray, J. and Artinger, K.B. (2008). Micromanaging Palate Development. Speech Sci. Oro. DIs. 2008; 18:62-72
Rossi, CC, Hernandez-Lagunas A-L, Zhang C, Choi I, Kwok L, Klymkowsky, M and Artinger KB. (2008) Rohon-Beard sensory neurons are induced by BMP4 expressing non-neural ectoderm in Xenopus laevis. Developmental Biology 2008; 314, 351-61. PMID: 18191829
Hernandez-Lagunas, L., Simpson, P., Hershey, C., Zhou, Y., Zon, L., Mercola, M., and Artinger, K.B (2005) Zebrafish narrowminded disrupts the transcription factor prdm1 and is required for neural crest and sensory neuron specification, Developmental Biology 278, 347-357 PMID: 15680355
Kaji, T. and Artinger, K.B. (2004) dlx3b and dlx4b function in the formation of Rohon-Beard Sensory neurons and Trigminal plaocdes in the zebrafish neurula. Developmental Biology 276(2),523-40 PMID: 15581883
Woda, J., Pastagia, J., Mercola, M., Artinger, K.B. (2003) Dlx proteins position the neural plate border and determine adjacent cell fates. Development 130, 331-342 PMID: 12466200