Virginia Papaioannou

BIOGRAPHY

CURRENT POSITION:
Professor of Genetics and Development

EDUCATION:
• University of California, Davis BSc
• Cambridge University, UK PhD

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
The genetic control of early mammalian development from fertilization through early organogenesis is the major research interest of the laboratory. In recent years, we have concentrated on T-box genes, a family of transcription factor genes that have profound effects on many aspects of development. Mutations in human T-box genes underlie a number of developmental syndromes such as the DiGeorge and ulnar-mammary syndromes. My lab has played a major role in gene discovery, elucidation of evolutionary relationships, and functional analysis, primarily through targeted mutagenesis in the mouse, of this gene family.

We are currently exploring the effects of Tbx6 on mesoderm patterning and left/right axis determination, the roles of Tbx4 and Tbx5 in trachea development and branching morphogenesis of the lung, and the role of Tbx2 subfamily members in gonad development. We are exploring genetic interactions between different T-box genes, making use of conditional alleles and compound mutants.

HOME PAGE
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/genetics/faculties/Papaioannou/Lab/HTML-pages/home.html