Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program

Research in these areas include:

• The basis of genetic or drug-induced congenital malformations, attempting to prevent birth defects in some of the 150,000 afflicted babies born each year.
• The processes of gametogenesis, egg maturation, embryo implantation, and gonad development, cellular processes that are prime targets for new contraceptive methods and infertility treatments. Other research includes the etiology of germ cell tumors, which are one of the most common tumors arising in children.

Faculty

	Tony De Falco, PhD, Assistant Professor The De Falco lab is interested in uncovering the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of the fetal gonad, focusing on how myeloid cells (such as macrophages) and vasculature promote tissue remodeling during organogenesis. Additionally, we are investigating the roles of myeloid cells in regulating spermatogonial stem cell differentiation in the adult testis. [Visit the De Falco Lab]
	Sudhansu K. Dey, PhD, Professor, Director Division of Reproductive Sciences Molecular and genetic aspects of embryo implantation in mouse models [Visit the Dey Lab]
	Louis Muglia, MD, PhD, Professor Genetic and developmental mechanisms controlling the timing of birth and risk of preterm birth; molecular genetic analysis of the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to stress. [Visit the Muglia Lab]
	Steven Potter, PhD, Professor Studies of homeobox genes that control mammalian development using gene targeting and transgenic mice [Visit the Potter Lab]
	Michael Williams, PhD, Associate Professor Interaction of stress-induced hormones and drugs of abuse on adult learning and memory abilities; physiological responses to later stressors; behavioral and physiological consequences of drug reexposure. [Visit the Vorhees Williams Lab]