THE SINGLETON LAB
and
Dictyostelium Development
Dictyostelium discoideum is one of the simplest studied eukaryotes
that possesses true multicellularity (click here
for the Dictyostelium web site). Depletion of its natural food source
results in a cessation of both growth and cell division of the unicellular
amoebae and initiation of a developmental program that leads to the coalescence
of the amoebae into a multicellular organism (click here
for an overview of the developmental program). The goal of the program is
to produce and disperse spores in order that some cells survive the temporary
unfavorable environment. A number of cell differentiation events and morphological
changes must occur to ensure the attainment of this goal. Efficient cell
to cell and environment to cell communication and signaling are necessary
for the successful implementation of the developmental program.
1. We investigate a variety of regulatory
phenomena related to various aspects of development in Dictyostelium.
This includes studies on sensory histidine kinases, ammonia transporters,
eIF2-alpha kinases, and other proteins in relation to their role in regulating
aspects of multicellular development. Our studies include the mechamisms
underlying the regulation of the timing of development, patterning, the
choice between alternative developmental pathways, the coordination of differentiation
and morphogenesis, and the transition from growth to multicellular development.
Our main approaches are genetic, molecular genetic, and biochemical. Click
on the number 1 at the beginning of this paragraph for more details.
2. In the past but not currently, we have studied
the molecular mechanisms of thiamine utilization and thiamine deficiency-induced
brain diseases in humans. Click on the number 2 at the beginning of this
paragraph for more details.
Publications describing Dictyostelium
work.
Publications describing past thiamine
research.
Information for Prospective Graduate Students
who are interested in joining the lab--philosophy on graduate education,
potential projects, records of past students.
Courses taught by Dr. Singleton:
BSCI110A
BSCI 275
A personal page can be found here.