Burke Lab

THIS WEBSITE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, SO FEEL FREE TO SEND US COMMENTS! [acburke@wesleyan.edu]

Research Motivation

We are interested in morphological evolution in vertebrates and the role of developmental processes in that evolution. In the lab we use both classical experimental embryology and modern molecular methods to try and understand the developmental mechanisms that result in morphological novelties. This work is primarily comparative, using model systems like chick and mouse embryos, as well as a range of vertebrates with significant phylogenetic positions and/or interesting morphological variations of the basic vertebrate body plan.

Mostly this means mucking about in a mysterious mess of mesenchyme………

PLEASE SEE CURRENT PROJECTS FOR A SPECIFIC OVERVIEW

Recent/Current Funding:

NIH R03 2009, Amphibian models for bodywall patterning.

NSF 2009, Mesodermal patterning modules in the evolution and development of the tetrapod pectoral girdle.