This branch of genetics investigates how genes control embryonic development and cell differentiation. Using a variety of preclinical models, researchers study the mechanisms of how genes impact developmental processes, pattern formation and cellular differentiation that are related to human disease.
Faculty in this research group collaborate and work with students and trainees to break new ground in the broad field of developmental genetics. Current areas of study include:
- Bone development
- Bone disease states (e.g., Paget's disease)
- Craniofacial development (e.g., craniosynostosis)
- Differentiation therapy of cancer
- Globin gene expression
- MITF genes in eye development and melanoma
- Neighbor-specific gene expression during mouse embryonic development
- Role of cell competition in cancer development
Faculty
Explore faculty research interests and recent publications by clicking the photos below.
Swadesh Das, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Swadesh Das, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Research interests: Genomic changes in the development of cancer, with a specific focus on melanoma
Email: swadesh.das@vcuhealth.org
Luni Emdad, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Luni Emdad, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Research interests: Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) interacting molecules involved in cancer progression, possible cancer stemness and angiogenesis toward developing novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit cancer progression
Email: luni.emdad@vcuhealth.org
Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D., FNAI
Professor
Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D., FNAI
Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Director of the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine
Research interests: Molecular basis of cancer and neurodegeneration, development of improved diagnostics and therapeutics for related diseases
Email: paul.fisher@vcuhealth.org
Rajan Gogna, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Rajan Gogna, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Email: Rajan.Gogna@vcuhealth.org
James Lister, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
James Lister, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Research interests: Specification and differentiation of pigment cells in zebrafish development, specifically defining the role of the mitfa protein in zebrafish melanocytic differentiation
Email: james.lister@vcuhealth.org
Joyce A. Lloyd, Ph.D.
Professor
Joyce A. Lloyd, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Vice Chair of Education
Research interests: Developmental regulation of the globin genes in erythroid cells and in the genes controlling erythroid development
Email: joyce.lloyd@vcuhealth.org
Rita Shiang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Rita Shiang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Graduate Program Director and Chair of Admissions
Research interests: Studying the genes that cause craniosynostosis in humans and zebrafish
Email: rita.shiang@vcuhealth.org
Jolene Windle, Ph.D.
Professor
Jolene Windle, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Eminent Scholar and Director of the Massey Cancer Center Transgenic Mouse Core
Research interests: Role of oncogenes in mouse mammary tumorigenesis and the development of new transgenic mouse technologies
Email: jolene.windle@vcuhealth.org