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Developmental Biology

Research Department

Group photo of the Departmet of Developmental Biology team

The department deals with research into the genetic regulation of embryonic development. In our studies, we use tissue-specific gene inactivation (knock‑out) technologies in mice using the Cre-loxP system. We study the functions of Wnt, Shh and FGF signaling pathways and selected transcription factors, e.g. from the Meis, Hand and Pbx families. We focus on the differentiation of neural crest cells and the associated germinal development of cartilage and bone in the craniofacial area and the middle ear. We also study the cellular mechanisms of neural tissue formation derived from neural crest cells. Analyses in mouse models are complemented by experiments in Danio rerio fish embryos. In both experimental organisms, we try to clarify the genetic nature of some human developmental defects.

Ondřej Machoň

Head of the Department
Ondřej Machoň, Ph.D.

Telefonní číslo +420 241 062 744
Mailová adresa ondrej.machon@iem.cas.cz
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People

Deputy Head

Simona Vojtěchová, M.Sc.

Researchers

Ondřej Machoň, Ph.D.

Postdocs

Mehmet Mahsum Kaplan, Ph.D.

PhD Students

Erika Hudáčová, M.Sc.

Viktorie Psutková, M.Sc.

Pre-Grad Students

Andrea Burianová

Lucie Sázavská, B.Sc.

Laboratory Technicians

Simona Vojtěchová, M.Sc.

Important results


Meis2 controls skeletal formation in the hyoid region

We identified Meis2 as a critical transcription factor determining embryonic bone formation. In the hyoid bone, we showed that mesenchymal condensation, chondroblast proliferation and their spatial arrangement is driven by transcription factor Meis2.

Elevated proliferation of SOX9 cells in the cartilage primordium of the hyoid bone in Wnt1-Cre2; Meis2 f/f. (A-C’) Frontal frozen sections with orthogonal projections of hyoid regions in controls and Wnt1-Cre2; Meis2 f/f. (D) Quantifications of the percentage of double positive EdU/SOX9 cells in controls and Wnt1-Cre2; Meis2 f/f.

 

Publication:

Fábik, J., Psutková, V., Machoň, O.: (2022) Meis2 controls skeletal formation in the hyoid region. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 28(10): 951063. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.951063


Projects

Provider

Year

1. 1. 2022 – 31. 12. 2024

The role of Meis transcription factors in mesenchymal condensations during formation of the cranium
2021–2023

The role of the transcription factor Meis1 during craniofacial development in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
  • GAUK
  • 340321

Publications

Transcription factor Meis1b regulates craniofacial morphogenesis in zebrafish

 DepartmentDepartment of Developmental Biology AutořiPsutková V.Nickl P.Brežinová V.Machonova O.Machoň O. Published on 2024 Metadata Dev Dyn . 2024 Aug 1. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.731. Online ahead of print.

Meis2 controls skeletal formation in the hyoid region.

 DepartmentDepartment of Developmental Biology AutořiFábik J.Psutková V.Machoň O. Published on 2022 Metadata Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 28(10): 951063.

MEIS-WNT5A axis regulates development of fourth ventricle choroid plexus.

 DepartmentDepartment of Developmental Biology AutořiKaiser K.Jang A.Kompanikova P.Lun-Melody P.Procházka J.Machoň O.Dani N.Procházková M.Laurent B.Gyllborg D.van Amerongen R.Fame R.M.Gupta S.Wu F.Barker R.A.Buková I.Sedláček R.Kozmik Z.Arenas E.Lehtinen M.K. Published on 2021 Metadata Development. 148(10): dev192054.

The Mandibular and Hyoid Arches-From Molecular Patterning to Shaping Bone and Cartilage.

 DepartmentDepartment of Developmental Biology AutořiFábik J.Psutková V.Machoň O. Published on 2021 Metadata International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22(14): 7529.

Getting out of an egg: Merging of tooth germs to create an egg tooth in the snake

 DepartmentDepartment of Developmental Biology AutořiFons J.M.Gaete M.Zahradníček O.Landová M.Bandali H.Khannoon E.R.Richman J.M.Buchtová M.Tucker A.S. Published on 2019 Metadata Dev Dyn. 2020 Feb;249(2):199-208. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.120. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

Collaborators