Early embryonic axis specification and patterning is the crucial event of metazoan embryos. Our lab has focused on the mechanism of axes patterning, in particular, how signaling pathways regulate gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that specify and pattern the embryonic territories along the main axes of developing embryos. We have also focused on how crosstalk exists between signaling pathways during the establishment of the germ territories along the major axes. To this end, our lab has shown the existence of an integrated Wnt signaling network of three Wnt pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Wnt/JNK, and Wnt/PKC pathways) in ANE restriction process.

My research focuses on the characterization of a non-canonical Wnt/JNK signaling pathway that plays a poorly defined but exceptional role in positioning ANE at the anterior cells in sea urchin embryos. To point out, my ongoing projects aimed at understanding GRNs that are activated downstream of Fzl5/8-JNK during the germ patterning of germ layers along the AP axis of sea urchin embryos. To my knowledge, my ongoing project will be the pioneering work for understanding downstream factors of the Fzl5/8-JNK signaling pathway during the early axis specification and patterning of metazoan embryos.