My lab's research is focused on sensory system development in Drosophila melanogaster . We study the mechanisms by which different cell fates are partitioned during development and how each cell type differentiates to help produce a functional organ for the peripheral nervous system.

Currently, work in the lab involves an investigation of the function of the transcription factor D-Pax2, a protein expressed in both photosensory and mechanosensory organs in Drosophila . The mammalian homologs of this protein are central to the proper development of eyes and ears. Projects include the identification of transcriptional targets of D-Pax2 in different tissues and an examination of the regulation of D-Pax2 expression during sensory organ development.

Recent Publications

Duan, H*, Dai, Q*, Kavaler, J*, Bejarano, F, Medranda, G, Negre, N and Lai, EC. 2011. Insensitive is a co-repressor for Suppressor of Hairless and regulates Notch signaling during neural development. EMBO (in press). * co-first authors.

Johnson, S, Harmon, KJ, Smiley, SG, Still, FM, and Kavaler, J. 2011. Discrete regulatory regions control early and late expression of D-Pax2 during external sensory organ development. Developmental Dynamics 240:1769.

Dziedzic, K, Heaphy, J, Prescott, H, and Kavaler, J. 2009. The transcription factor D-Pax2 regulates Crystallin production during eye development in Drosophila melanogaster. Developmental Dynamics 238:2530.

Roegiers, F*, Kavaler, J*, Tolwinski, N*, Chou, YT*, Duan, H, Bejarano, F, Zitserman, D and Lai, EC. 2009. Frequent Unanticipated Alleles of lethal giant larvae in Drosophila Second Chromosome Stocks. Genetics 182:407. * co-first authors.

Lai, E, Bodner, R, Kavaler, J, Freschi, G, and Posakony, J. 2000. Antagonism of Notch signaling activity by members of a novel protein family encoded by the Bearded and Enhancer of split gene complexes. Development 127:291.

Kavaler, J, Fu, W, Noll, M, and Posakony, J. 1999. An essential role for the Drosophila Pax2 homologue in the differentiation of adult sensory organs. Development 126(10):2261.