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Research Interests- Gastrointestinal Development
We are focusing on using functional genomic screens, forward genetic screens, and the creation of gastrointestinally specific fluorescently tagged zebrafish to elucidate the normal functions of known genes, the identification of novel genes and their possible role in human cancers, non malignant diseases and developmental abnormalities.
The zebrafish is an ideal system for studying early development, and understanding the factors that lead to human pathology. The zebrafish gastrointestinal tract is grossly organized in a fashion nearly identical to humans. In fact, the gastrointestinal tract of the zebrafish consists of an esophagus, followed by a stomach-like structure, a pylorus that separates this from the villous small intestine, and a separate section similar to the colon with a functioning anus. Additionally, zebrafish have a bi-lobed liver, a gallbladder and exocrine/endocrine pancreas comparably positioned relative to humans. The developing embryos are transparent, facilitating visualization, and have functioning gastrointestinal systems that appear microscopically and functionally similar to the developing human gastrointestinal tract by four days post-fertilization.
- Hematopoietic and Vascular Development
Hematopoiesis in the vertebrate is characterized by the induction of ventral mesoderm to form hematopoietic stem cells and the eventual differentiation of these progenitors to form the final peripheral blood lineages. Several genes have been implicated in the differentiation and development of hematopoietic and vascular progenitor cells yet our understanding of the discrete steps involved in the induction of these cells from the ventral mesoderm is still incomplete.
Our lab has cloned the various vascular endothelial growth factors (Vegf) from the zebrafish and are studying how they and their receptors affect organogenesis and vasculogenesis. This new knowledge has therapeutic value for bone marrow transplantation, stem cell gene therapy, aplastic anemia and myelodysplasia.
- Stem Cell Biology
Development of new technology in the zebrafish to help elucidate the developmental roles of genes and their contribution to human disease processes.
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Selected Publications- Bahary N, Goishi K, Stuckenholz C, Weber G, Leblanc J, Schafer CA, Berman SS, Klagsbrun M, Zon L. (2007) "Duplicate VegfA genes and orthologues of the KDR receptor tyrosine kinase family mediate vascular development in the zebrafish." Blood. 110:3627-36 | Abstract
- Paffett-Lugassy N, Hsia N, Fraenkel PG, Paw B, Leshinsky I, Barut B, Bahary N, Caro J, Handin R, Zon L. (2007) "Functional conservation of erythropoietin signaling in zebrafish" Blood. 110:2718-26. | Abstract
- Hultman KA, Bahary N, Zon LI, Johnson SL. (2007) "Gene Duplication of the zebrafish kit ligand and partitioning of melanocyte development functions to kit ligand a." PLoS Genet. 3:e17. | Abstract
- Hu G, Tang J, Zhang B, Lin Y, Hanai J, Galloway J, Bedell V, Bahary N, Han Z, Ramchandran R, Thisse B, Thisse C, Zon LI, Sukhatme VP. (2006) "A novel endothelial-specific heat shock protein HspA12B is required in both zebrafish development and endothelial functions in vitro." J Cell Sci. 119:4117-26. | Abstract
- Tang J, Hu G, Hanai J, Yadlapalli G, Lin Y, Zhang B, Galloway J, Bahary N, Sinha S, Thisse B, Thisse C, Jin JP, Zon LI, Sukhatme VP. (2006) "A critical role for calponin 2 in vascular development" J Biol Chem. 281:6664-72 | Abstract
Complete Publication Listing
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Grant Support- First Award
Crohn’s/Colitis Foundation of America
Developmental Expression and Function of IBD Genetic Determinants in the Zebrafish - March of Dimes Foundation
Functional Genomic Screening in the Zebrafish to Define Developmentally Critical Gastrointestinal Genes - NIH R21
Modeling Novel Gastrointestinal Growth Pathways in the Zebrafish
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Other
Links
Medicine Homepage
MGB Faculty Webpage
University of Pittsburgh |
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Nathan Bahary, M.D., Ph.D.
| Office:
W1257 BSTWR |
| Lab:W1207/8 BSTWR |
| Phone:412-648-3805 |
| Fax:
412-649-9327
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bahary@pitt.edu
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Academic Affiliations- Assistant Professor
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Assistant Clinical Professor
Department of Medicine
Division of Hematology/Oncology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Member Faculty
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Member Faculty
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Molecular and Cellular Oncology Program
- Member, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Graduate Program
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Education- A.B. 1984 Chemistry
Cornell University
- M.D.1989
Cornell University Medical College
- Ph.D. 1992
The Rockefeller University
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Lab Personnel
Research Associate
Carsten Stuckenholz Ph.D
Research Fellow
Marcus Rivera M.D.
Research Specialists
Sarah Berman B.S.
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