Laura N Vandenberg, Ph.D.
- Position:
Postdoctoral Fellow
Biology
Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Tufts University (Medford, MA)
- Advisor:
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Degrees:
Ph.D., Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology, Tufts University Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences (Boston, MA)B.S., Biology- Genetics & Development, Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
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Past Advisors:
Michael Levin (as Post Doctoral Fellow)Ana M. Soto (as Graduate Student - Ph.D.)Carlos Sonnenschein (as Graduate Student - Ph.D.)Mariana F. Wolfner (as Undergraduate Student)
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Research:
Examining bioelectrical controls of morphogenesis
While laterality is a crucial aspect of embryonic development, many key questions remain about the mechanisms embryos use to reliably distinguish left from right. Understanding this will illuminate fascinating problems of evolutionary, cell, and developmental biology, as well as an important class of birth defects. In mammals, the left-right (LR) axis is thought to be established during gastrulation. However, in frog, chick, zebrafish, and invertebrates, this occurs earlier. In Xenopus, right-sided intracellular localization of four ion transporters at the first cleavages determine asymmetry of the embryo, since the large early blastomeres allow physiological asymmetries across the first cleavage plane to be imposed across the whole embryo’s midline. However, data indicate that correct laterality may also be imposed by an organizer induced at the 1000-cell stage, implying a different mechanism. In order to unify the understanding of asymmetry among phyla, we will determine: (1) can Xenopus properly orient the LR axis in embryos at a stage when no single cell’s intracellular localization can distribute signals across the embryo’s midline? (2) how do the early blastomeres utilize cytoskeletal chirality and transport machinery to achieve consistent asymmetry? These aims will result in revisions of current models of LR patterning among vertebrates.
Laura Vandenberg's Genealogy
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Laura Vandenberg's Publications (16)
Laura Vandenberg's Posters and Presentations (7)
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It’s not in your genes but the company you keep. Phenotype, a view from the bench. (poster)
Vandenberg LN, Soto AM, and Sonnenschein C
ISHPSSB 2007; 08/2007 -
Early exposure to the xenoestrogen bisphenol-A has long-lasting effects on the mammary gland in both male and female mice. (presentation)
Vandenberg LN, Maffini MV, Schaeberle CM, Rubin BS, Sonnenschein C, and Soto AM.
ENDO 2007; 06/2007 -
Xenoestrogens and the breast cancer link: The tale of Bisphenol-A. (poster)
Vandenberg LN, Sonnenschein C, and Soto AM.
Pardon Our Appearance, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition Fundraiser; 04/2007 -
Exposure to bisphenol-A alters growth and morphology of the fetal mammary gland. (poster)
Vandenberg LN, Maffini MV, Wadia PR, Sonnenschein C, Rubin BS, and Soto AM.
ENDO 2006; 07/2006 -
Perinatal exposure to bisphenol-A alters sensitivity of the mouse mammary gland to estradiol. (presentation)
Wadia PR, Vandenberg LN, Schaeberle CM, Rubin BS, Sonnenschein C, and Soto AM.
ENDO; 07/2006 -
In utero exposure to bisphenol-A alters mouse mammary gland development. (poster)
LN Vandenberg, PR Wadia, MV Maffini, C Sonnenschein, and AM Soto.
Tufts University Provost’s Research Day; 06/2006 -
In utero exposure to environmentally relevant levels of bisphenol-A alters growth and morphology of the fetal mouse mammary gland. (poster)
Vandenberg LN, Maffini MV, Wadia PR, Sonnenschein C, Rubin BS, and Soto AM
Gordon Research Conference - Environmental Endocrine Disruptors; 05/2006
One Figure
Beta-gal expression marks the midline in a stage 45 xenopus tadpole.
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