The Control of Transcription Factor Specificity and Activity
We study how transcription factors bind to the correct DNA sequences and regulate the correct target genes in vivo, with a focus on the Hox family of homeodomain proteins.
Motor Neuron Development and Circuitry
We are studying how the neural circuitry that is required for coordinated walking in adult flies is constructed during development, and how it functions in the adult.
Proximal Distal Axis Formation in Appendage Development
We aim to understand how legs and wings establish their proximo-distal axes during fly development.
The Control of Tissue Growth and Organ Size
We are studying how tissues grow to the correct sizes and shapes.
Enhancer Silencing In Response To Gene Dosage And Natural Variation
We continue to be intrigued by how the activities of transcriptional regulatory elements are sometimes modified by genetic variation present in natural populations of flies.
Tools
For many of our projects, we generate new tools for the in vivo manipulation and characterization of gene function and expression.
For example:
Scarless engineering of the Drosophila genome near any site-specific integration site. Feng S, Lu S, Grueber WB, Mann RS. Genetics. 2021 Mar 31;217(3):iyab012. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyab012. PMID: 33772309
Genome engineering: Voutev and Mann, 2018