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XB-PERS-1689
Peter L. Jones
Position
Principal ScientistResearch Description
We are investigating the molecular mechanisms leading to facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) pathology. FSHD, the most prevalent muscular dystrophy afflicting children and adults, is caused by a dominant deletion in a macrosatellite repeat array at chromosome 4q35 leading to an epigenetic dysregulation of gene expression. We are using the early development of Xenopus laevis to 1) test the effect of mis-expression of FSHD candidate genes on the development of the vertebrate musculature and vasculature and 2) determine the normal developmental role of FSHD candidate genes.