Additional photos
H&E staining of embryonic chick heart
Cagatay demonstrating ligation
Current Projects
 | Noninvasive Manipulation of Embryonic Development Through Focused Laser Microablation
Congenital heart defects are common and serious disorder that often lead to birth-related deaths, yet only a small number of clinically observed cases (~10%) can be traced to a genetic deficiency. How cardiac morphogenesis is altered in these epigenetic cases is poorly understood, but the change is likely related to simultaneous misexpression of numerous genes that are coordinated in this complex process. The focus of this project thus is to create epigenetic models of congenital heart defects by mechanically perturbing embryonic development. To achieve this goal, we have been combining two different techniques. We first utilize microsurgery to band or ligate developing cardiac structures in order to shift hemodynamic patterns in the heart and to monitor downstream morphogenesis and cell fate. In collaboration with Professor Chris Schaffer (BME, Cornell), we then use two photon laser microscopy to noninvasively image and study deep into developing embryos. In addition to microsurgery ligation, we are also able to occlude and shunt localized regions of the developing hearts using focused ultrahigh frequency laser pulses. These noninvasive approaches enable unique ways of creating and studying consequences of clinically relevant congenital heart defects. | Main People - - - Akshay Shekhar - Huseyin Cagatay Yalcin |
- Mechanical Regulation of Embryonic Valvulogenesis
- Developmental Redux of Adult Valve Disease