The mammalian musculoskeletal system is derived from the segmented structure called the somite. These mesodermal units are located at the flanks of the spinal cord and provide the physical basis for segmented musculoskeletal organization in the trunk. Under the influence of signals secreted by adjacent tissues, somitic cells differentiate into the distinct components of the musculoskeletal system: the vertebrae, ribs, dermis, and skeletal muscles.

Our main goal is to identify the molecular natures of these instructive signals. To date, we have identified at least four classes of secreted factors involved in influencing the fates of the somitic cells (view publications). To expand our understanding of the molecular make-up of these somitic fates, we have performed a microarray study to examine their gene expression profile.

We have also begun to explore the cellular components that mediate the downstream effects of these secreted factors in the somitic cells. Our approach is to combine both the in vitro explant culture system and the genetic analyses to investigate the contribution of these identified molecules.