Valerie Tornini
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Valerie Tornini
@valetornini.bsky.social
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Assistant Professor @ UCLA. Views my own.
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valetornini.bsky.social
What cell states are possible when they are missing key factors - Nanog, Pou5f3 (Oct4), & Sox19b (Sox2) - that are required for the first embryonic reprogramming steps? Follow along with our latest publication, finally out at doi.org/10.1016/j.ce... #devbio #reprogramming #zebrafish #embryo (1/6)
Graphical abstract describing the main findings. Top, Nanog, Pou5f3, and Sox19b (NPS) work together for cellular reprogramming following fertilization of the egg and sperm in the embryo's maternal-to-zygotic transition. Clearance of the maternal program, plus activation of the zygotic and late zygotic genes expression programs later in development, together will enable gene expression programs towards cellular differentiation. In maternal-zygotic NPS (mzNPS) mutant embryos, there is a failure of reprogramming and subsequently no gastrulation. However, when mzNPS embryonic cells are transplanted into wild type embryos, some cells survive and form mixed cell states, likely due to failed nuclear and cytoplasmic reprogramming. We find that some gene expression states, including primordial germ cell-like and motoneuron-like cell states, are able to develop in vivo, bypassing the loss of NPS-mediated embryonic reprogramming.
November 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
valetornini.bsky.social
We are openly recruiting at all levels at the Tornini Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)!
Please share with your networks. For more information, please check the info below, visit www.torninilab.org, or email me directly at vtornini at ucla dot edu. Thank you in advance!
Open recruitment for the Tornini Lab Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology & Institute for Society and Genetics Hispanic Serving Institution Infrastructure Initiative University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) www.torninilab.org We are a new developmental, cell, and molecular biology lab interested in understanding the genetics of vertebrate neurodevelopment. We use genome engineering, single-cell technologies, behavioral analyses, pharmacological profiling, confocal imaging, genomics, and computational biology using the vertebrate zebrafish (Danio rerio) system and other models (like sea lamprey) for evolutionary studies. Our work is driven by curiosity, independence and teamwork, fun, a sense of urgency, and a desire to understand how networks of genes regulate brain and organismal development. This work can help us better understand basic mechanisms of what happens in human developmental disorders or diseases and can inform novel therapeutic strategies. We are recruiting across all levels. Our lab works in multiple complementary areas (please see below). We’re looking to match motivated people with what motivates them in a supportive and engaging environment. We are recruiting staff research scientists (1-2 years after undergrad+), graduate students (open rotation positions), postdocs, and other positions as relevant. While multiple of our projects are already funded, we strongly support candidates to identify and apply for your own fellowships/grants with the full mentorship and resources of the lab. Like our research? Think you might be a good fit? Consider joining us! For more information, please visit our website, the next page, or contact Val at: vtornini at ucla dot edu UCLA is an equal opportunity employer. Novel micropeptides in vertebrate neurodevelopment Using zebrafish models, we ask: what are these proteins; what are their functions in neurodevelopment; what are other “ignored” or “dark proteome” genes we are missing; and what can they reveal about human neurodevelopmental disorders or diseases? Chromatin regulators in vertebrate development and behavior A growing group of evolutionarily conserved chromatin regulators have been identified as genes linked with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism. In many cases, patients may struggle with co-occurring conditions that impact daily life in childhood and adulthood, including seizures, sleeplessness or sleep disruptions, and autoimmune disruptions. How do these genes work to establish and maintain neural cell types during development, and in turn shape circuits during early critical periods, including interactions with the environment, to establish organismal physiological processes? Non-neuronal regulation during development and aging Non-neuronal cell types, including oligodendrocytes and microglia, have emerged as key players in shaping neurodevelopment and into adulthood. How are the cellular, molecular, and physiological dynamics of these cell types in developing and aging brains affected in mutant genetic models linked to neurodevelopmental disorders? Can we target these cells to modulate neural dysregulation and resulting behaviors in these mutant models? Evolution of vertebrate brain cell states We seek to understand the principles of how novel genes co-evolve with the emergence of neural cell types found only in vertebrates. We use cross-species genomics and functional approaches with the jawless vertebrate model, sea lamprey, to elucidate the roles of vertebrate-specific genes on the gene regulatory networks. Bioethics, neuroethics, and genetics We seek to integrate evidence-based methods throughout our projects to investigate and address bioethical considerations in this research domain.
December 9, 2024 at 8:48 PM