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Clifford Bogue, MD

Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Pediatrics; Chair, Pediatrics; Chief of Pediatrics, Yale New Haven Health System

Contact Information

Clifford Bogue, MD

Office Location

Research Summary

The major focus of my research is to understand the molecular control of organ formation and cell-type specification. In particular, we are focusing on the role that homeobox genes play in early organogenesis, specifically the Hhex gene. Based on a null mutation of Hhex generated in my laboratory, we have determined that Hhex is crucial for early liver budding and morphogenesis, cardiovascular development, and lymphopoiesis. We plan to determine the precise role of Hhex in these critical developmental processes and the factors with which it interacts using mouse molecular genetics, conditional gene knockouts, and transgenic overexpression in specific cells and tissues. The two major areas of focus in the lab are the roles that Hhex plays in liver and cardiovascular development. By studying the specific role of Hhex during development, we will gain important insight into the basic developmental mechanisms involved in early organogenesis of a number of different organs. Ultimately, we plan to use the knowledge obtained by our study of the basic mechanisms of organ development to repair and regenerate organs and tissues in humans.

Specialized Terms: Role of homeobox transcription factors in early liver and cardiovascular development; Stem cells in organ repair and regeneration

Extensive Research Description

The major focus of my research is to understand the molecular control of organ formation and cell-type specification. In particular, we are focusing on the role that homeobox genes play in early organogenesis, specifically the Hhex gene. Based on a null mutation of Hhex generated in my laboratory, we have determined that Hhex is crucial for early liver budding and morphogenesis, cardiovascular development, and lymphopoiesis. We plan to determine the precise role of Hhex in these critical developmental processes and the factors with which it interacts using mouse molecular genetics, conditional gene knockouts, and transgenic overexpression in specific cells and tissues. The two major areas of focus in the lab are the roles that Hhex plays in liver and cardiovascular development. By studying the specific role of Hhex during development, we will gain important insight into the basic developmental mechanisms involved in early organogenesis of a number of different organs. Ultimately, we plan to use the knowledge obtained by our study of the basic mechanisms of organ development to repair and regenerate organs and tissues in humans.

  • Hhex – a homeobox gene essential for liver development. In this project, we are using mice with a liver-specific deletion of Hhex, derived in my lab, to gain insight into liver cell differentiation and bile duct morphogenesis.
  • Mechanism of polycystic liver disease in Hhex mutant mice. In this project, we are studying the role that Hhex deletion in the embryonic liver leads to polycystic liver disease.
  • Hhex and cardiovascular development. Hhex is critically important for normal heart and blood vessel development. This project focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which embryonic cardiovascular development is dependent on normal Hhex levels.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Critical Care; Gastroenterology; Morphogenesis; Pediatrics; Organogenesis

Selected Publications