[SEMINAR] “Zebrafish research uncovers previously unidentified signaling in cardiovascular development” by Dr. Mochizuki

Speaker: Dr. Naoki Mochizuki, M.D., Ph.D.
Affiliation: Deputy Director, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC) Research Institute

Title: “Zebrafish research uncovers previously unidentified signaling in cardiovascular development”

Abstract:
Zebrafish are extensively used for research on developmental biology because of its transparency, fast and extra-maternal growth, and easiness of gene manipulation. Among multiple organogenesis, cardiovascular system (CVS) is first established because the oxygen/nutrition delivery to organs is required for other organ development. Because the initial development of CVS finishes within several days, key morphological changes mediated by cell movement can be visualized using microscopy if the cells are marked by genetically encoded fluorescent protein in a tissue- or cell-specific manner.

We have tried to understand the molecular mechanism underlying morphological changes during cardiogenesis and vascular development. Left-right asymmetry determined in the early embryogenesis is required for zebrafish CVS as well as mammal’s. Cardiac precursor cells (CPCs) and angioblasts assemble as a heart tube and a vascular cord, respectively. These cells differentiate according to their own programmed gene expression.

In this talk, I will introduce imaging of the following steps:

1. How we can visualize ciliogenesis in Kupffer’s vesicle
2. How CPC form a heart tube
3. How intersomitic vessels sprout from the dorsal aorta

 In addition to these imaging, I will explain the molecular mechanisms underlying these cell behaviors.

References:
Wakayama Y. et al. Dev. Cell 32:109-22, 2015
Fukui H. et al. Dev. Cell 31: 128-136, 2014
Kwon HB. Et al. Development. 140: 4081-90, 2013