The Integration of Physical and Genetic Signals in Cardiac Development

It is clear that the flow of blood through the heart is a important signal in the control of heart development. We will describe how blood flow patterns change during heart development in the zebrafish. We will identify genes expressed in the lining of the heart that are sensitive to changes in blood flow. The identification of flow responsive genes will allow us to determine how these physical forces influence heart development. We will then investigate how disruption of blood flow and the genes that control the response to blood flow affects the process of heart development. This will allow us to determine how physical and genetic signals are integrated in cardiac patterning.