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Lynn Cooley, PhD

Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; C. N. H. Long Professor of Genetics and Professor of Cell Biology and of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
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About

Titles

Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; C. N. H. Long Professor of Genetics and Professor of Cell Biology and of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Appointments

Education & Training

PhD
University of Texas (1984)
BA
Connecticut College, Zoology (1976)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Carnegie Institution

Research

Overview

Gametes are the ultimate stem cells with the capacity to produce entire new organisms. We study cellular mechanisms of gamete development using Drosophila as a model system. We are focused on the development of female germline cells, from their early differentiation into oocytes or nurse cells, through the control of oocyte growth during oogenesis. In addition, we study the role of ovarian muscles in the progression of developing egg chambers through the ovary.

Early germline development in animals, including flies, relies on a non-canonical form of mitosis. Daughters of germline stem cells undergo a tightly controlled number of mitotic cell divisions with incomplete cytokinesis so that bridges of cytoplasm remain to connect clusters of sister cells. These residual connections are transformed into stable intercellular junctions called ring canals, which are needed for oocyte growth.

In females, this transformation involves recruiting a highly dynamic actin cytoskeleton and many associated actin-binding proteins. Using a variety of genetic and molecular approaches, we have identified many ring canal proteins, and we are actively working toward characterizing their functions. We are also studying the role of ring canals in the polarized transport of maternal mRNAs, proteins and organelles from nurse cells and to the oocyte.

While ring canals are ubiquitous in germline cells, their presence and function in somatic cells are largely unexplored. In order to understand how these fascinating structures contribute to the biology of non-germline cells, we are characterizing somatic ring canals in epithelial cells of the Drosophila ovary and imaginal discs using cell biology and genetics.

Recently we discovered a novel muscle type in the Drosophila ovary that contains striated sarcomeres, but only a single nucleus. This indicates the muscles did not form by typical myoblast fusion. Importantly, the presence of one nucleus means we can use powerful genetic clonal analysis to analyze the effects of mutations affecting muscle proteins, including those associated with human musclular dystrophy. In addition, we can study proliferation of these muscles in adults and the pool of progenitor stem cells that supply new muscle cells in adults.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Actin Cytoskeleton; Biology; Cell Biology; Drosophila; Genetics; Molecular Biology; Oogenesis

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Lynn Cooley's published research.

Publications

2023

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2015

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    Genetics Society of America

  • activity

    American Association for the Advancement of Science

  • activity

    Genetics Society of America

  • honor

    Member

  • honor

    Fellow

Get In Touch

Contacts

Academic Office Number
Lab Number

Administrative Support

Locations

  • Sterling Hall of Medicine, I-Wing

    Academic Office

    333 Cedar Street, Ste Suite 331, Rm B

    New Haven, CT 06510

    Appointments

    203.785.5067