个人简介

B.Sc., University of Calgary M.Sc., University of Calgary Ph.D., Princeton University

研究领域

Asymmetric Cell Division in C. elegans

The Hawkins lab uses C. elegans to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying asymmetric cell division. Asymmetric cell division is the process by which a mother cell divides to produce two daughter cells that adopt distinct cell fates and is essential for the generation of cell diversity during development. Many outstanding questions include: How does cell signaling contribute to asymmetric cell division? Are asymmetrically localized determinants conserved between organisms or cell types? How does an asymmetrically localized factor ultimately lead to differential gene expression necessary for cell fate determination? C. elegans is ideally suited to investigate these questions. Since the entire cell lineage is known, the timing, location and polarity of cell divisions can be analyzed at the resolution of single cells. Both cell signaling and the asymmetric segregation of intracellular proteins are required to specify distinct daughter cell fates during asymmetric cell division. We are currently using molecular, genetic and cell biological approaches to understand the mechanisms by which the highly conserved Wnt signaling pathway and the asymmetrically localized HAM-1 protein contribute to asymmetric cell division.

近期论文

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King, R.S., Maiden, S.L., Hawkins, N.C., Kidd III, A.R., Kimble, J., Hardin, J.D., and Walston, (2009). T.D. POP-1 asymmetry and morphogenesis defects in dsh-2 mutant embryos can be rescued by either the DIX or DEP domain of DSH-2. Dev. Bio. 328:234-244. Hingwing, K., Lee, S., Nykilchuk, N., Walston, T., Hardin, J.D., and Hawkins, N.C. (2009). CWN-1 functions with DSH-2 to regulate C. elegans asymmetric neuroblast division in a beta-catenin independent Wnt pathway. Dev. Biol. 328:245-256. Hawkins, N., and Ronchi, E. (2008). Seeking a seat at the policy table: Engaging women in biotechnology research and in decision making. In F. Molfino and F. Zucco (eds.) Women in Biotechnology - Building Interfaces. Springer. Hawkins, NC., Ellis, G., Bowerman, B and Garriga, G. MOM-5/FRIZZLED regulates the distribution of DSH-2 to control asymmetric neuroblast division in C. elegans. Dev. Biol. 284:246-259. Frank, C.W., Hawkins, N.C., Guenther,C. Horvitz, H.R. and Garriga, G. C. elegans HAM-1 positions the cleavage plane and regulates apoptosis in asymmetric neuroblast divisions. Dev. Biol. 284:301-310. Withee, J., Galligan, B., Hawkins, N., and Garriga, G. (2004). C. elegans WASP and Ena/VASP proteins play compensatory roles in morphogenesis and neuronal cell migration. Genetics 167:1165-1176. Walston, T., Tuskey, C., Edgar, L., Hawkins, N., Ellis, G., Bowerman, B., and Hardin, J. (2004) Multiple Wnt signaling pathways converge to orient the mitotic spindle in early C. elegans embryos. Dev. Cell 7:831-841. Hawkins, N.C., Garriga, G., and Beh C.T. (2003). Creating precise GFP fusions in plasmids using yeast homologous recombination. Biotechniques 34, 74-80.