Zorn Laboratory Research Interests
The long-term research goal in the Zorn lab at Cincinnati Children's Hospital is to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling the development of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, which are derived from the embryonic endoderm.
We use frog embryos as a model system to investigate the genetic pathways underlying this poorly understood process of organogenesis. This research will help our understanding of congenital diseases in these organ systems and the ability to direct the development of stem cells to make therapeutically useful tissue.
Our research focuses on three developmental steps in the progression towards making a liver.
The Zorn Laboratory is part of the Division of Developmental Biology at Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation. The lab is located in Location R (Research Foundation Building), Room 2509.
Division of Developmental Biology
Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
E-mail Aaron.Zorn@chmcc.org
Phone 513-636-3770
Fax 513-636-4317Postdoctoral and Graduate Students Welcome
The Zorn Lab trains graduate students from the Molecular and Developmental Biology program. Potential graduate students should visit the Molecular and Developmental Biology web site for details on the graduate program. To Learn more about the postdoc positions available or contact Dr. Zorn about training opportunities.
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| Focusing on the transcription factor Sox17 we are investigating how the embryonic endoderm is made during gastrulation. | Once the endoderm is specified, we are examining the growth factors and transcription factors that pattern the endoderm instructing some cells to become the foregut containing the liver pancreas and lung precursors. | Early in development some of the cells in the developing foregut are induced to become liver. We are investigating the genetic basis of this poorly understood process. |
