Genetics Department Seminar Series: "Oocyte Polarity Establishment in Vertebrates"

Through forward genetic adult screens in the zebrafish as well as proteomic studies, her lab has discovered key maternal-effect genes acting in oocyte polarity. One key protein is Bucky ball, a highly disordered protein that is essential for formation of an RNP-mitochondrial aggregate called the Balbiani body, which acts in establishing oocyte polarity.