Staff Member Yixian Zheng.

Staff Associate Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado.

DEPARTMENT OF EMBRYOLOGY
115 WEST UNIVERSITY PARKWAY
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21210-3399

http://www.ciwemb.edu

ALLAN C. SPRADLING,
DIRECTOR

Of all the problems in biology, none are more challenging than those of development—the mechanisms whereby, under the guidance of the genes, there emerges from a single-celled beginning, an integrated multicelled organism. Developing organisms follow specific patterns of growth and differentiation that are genetically programmed long before expression occurs.

The study of "specificity" thus provides a common goal for faculty, fellows, and associates of the Department of Embryology. Working in small groups and in interlocking patterns of collaboration, they investigate specificity in the expression of genes through development, in cell growth and division, and in intracellular communication. The techniques of molecular biology, genetics, biophysics, physiology, immunology, and ultrastructural analysis are used to study developmental stages of differentiation, growth, and morphogenesis in a variety of organisms.

Although research now concentrates at the molecular and cellular levels, the department was originally set up in 1914 to study human embryo development. Recognizing the importance of experimentation using rhesus monkeys, the department in 1926 established one of the first primate breeding colonies in the country. In 1970, the colony was transferred to Chicago. Three years later, the department's human embryo collection, the largest in the world, was sent to the University of California, Davis. The embryo collection now resides at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, located at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. There, as the core of the new Human Developmental Anatomy Center, the Carnegie collection is available for use by researchers.

RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Embryology has provided outstanding opportunities for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students since its inception in 1914. Graduate and postdoctoral training is possible in any of the twelve laboratories within the department. Although each lab has a separate scientific focus, the department as a whole maintains a broad scientific base in biological sciences through numerous scientific exchanges and interactions (departmental seminars and symposia, journal clubs and progress reports). These and more informal interactions provide students and postdocs with broad training in biological sciences. With its location on the Johns Hopkins University campus and scientific affiliations between the two organizations, the department also provides extensive opportunities for scientific collaboration.

Applying for Postdoctoral Positions in the Department

After choosing a lab of interest from the list above, candidates should send a resume and have three or four letters of recommendation sent to the principal investigator. All materials should be sent by paper mail (not e-mail) and addressed to the principal investigator in care of Carnegie Institution of Washington, 115 West University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21210.

Alternatively, a general postdoctoral application can be addressed to the department. A resume and three or four letters of recommendation should be sent by paper mail (not e-mail) to Postdoctoral Applications, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 115 West University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21210.

Postdoctoral fellow Amy Rubinstein tending the department's zebrafish facility. The transparency of the zebrafish embryo allows researchers to see the tissues and organs as they develop and to chart mutations easily.

Graduate Study in Biology, Johns Hopkins University

Most principal investigators at Carnegie holds an adjunct faculty appointment in the Department of Biology at Johns Hopkins. Graduate students in biology at Johns Hopkins can thus carry out thesis research in any of the laboratories in the Department of Embryology. The Biology and Embryology departments are situated approximately 1/4 mile apart, and are both on the tree-lined Arts and Sciences campus of Johns Hopkins University. Biology graduate students who choose to carry out their thesis research at Carnegie remain full members of the Biology department and participate fully in course work and teaching experience that is part of the graduate program.

Applicants to the Johns Hopkins Biology Department should address materials directly to Johns Hopkins University. Forms and information can be obtained from the department (Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210; Tel: (410) 516-7330.

The Carnegie Institution Staff Associate Program

The Department of Embryology has a small number of independent positions for scientists who have completed doctoral research and in some cases postdoctoral training who are interested in intensively pursuing a new scientific research program for 3-5 years in an outstanding scientific environment. Interested applicants should send a CV and four letters of reference to Dr. Allan Spradling, Director, Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 115 West University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21210.

THE SCHOLARLY PROGRAM

Alex Bortvin - The study of germ cells as a model system to explore the relationship between genetic and epigenetic regulation of the genome function and cellular differentiation.

Donald D. Brown - Amphibian metamorphosis. Studies of the genetic program involved in the change of amphibian tadpoles to frogs, using modern techniques of molecular biology.

Chen-Ming Fan - The mouse as a model system to study the genes and the cellular mechanisms that orchestrate early developmental processes in the mammal. Two primary areas of interest are the musculoskeletal system and the neuroendocrine system.

Joseph G. Gall - The role of nuclear organelles in the synthesis and processing of RNA.

Marnie E. Halpern - Genetic approaches in the zebrafish, Danio rerio, to explore how regional specializations arise in the developing neural tube.

Douglas Koshland - The analysis of factors that mediate mitotic chromosome condensation and sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis and meiosis to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of chromosome structure and the principles that govern chromosome evolution.

Allan C. Spradling - The study of molecular mechanisms underlying egg production which are of basic biological interest and provide unique insights into many aspects of cellular physiology. Powerful molecular genetic tools allow studying oogenesis in the model organism Drosophila.

Yixian Zheng - How a cell organizes its interior and divides are central questions in cell and developmental biology. Research in my lab focuses on understanding how the cell nucleates and organizes microtubules to achieve intracellular organization and cell division.

STAFF ASSOCIATES
Terence Murphy
Alex Schreiber
Jim Wilhelm
Judith Yanowitz

SEMINARS

Noon seminars are held about once a week. Scientists from outside institutions present research results of interest to those researching developmental problems. A calendar of the department's events is at http://www.ciwemb.edu/seminars/seminars.php.

The department sponsors a day-long minisymposium once a year. The department's fellows are responsible for choosing the topic and organizing the event.

FACILITIES

The new Maxine F. Singer building will house the Carnegie Institution’s Department of Embryology on the western edge of Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood Campus. It is being constructed next door to an office building for Johns Hopkins and a 540-car parking structure. The buildings lie on three wooded acres, along a stream valley with rocky slopes. They are bounded on the east by San Martin Drive and on the west by a Baltimore city public park. Designed by the Zimmer-Gunsul-Frasca Partnership, the Maxine F. Singer building has a brick base and aluminum panel and black-framed window areas. Its sloped copper roof extends out to provide natural sun screening for the upper level, while horizontal sunscreens provide sun control for the second floor.

Along with the roof, the building penthouses will also be clad in copper shingles. Copper begins by being very bright, but soon weathers first to a dark brown and later gains a light green patina. This is the ultimate desired design effect: a natural green building in the midst of the woods.

Inside, the building will comfortably house more than 100 Department of Embryology scientists, lab technicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and administrative staff. Besides its 13 modern and well-equipped laboratories, the building will contain a library, meeting rooms, animal quarters, supply rooms and an auditorium. It will be completed by February 2005.

Collaborative Facilities

Many of the faculty of the department enjoy joint appointments at Johns Hopkins University and/or Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This close working relationship fosters a rich interchange of ideas among students and research facilities.