Research
The McGraw uses zebrafish as a model organism to study the development and regeneration of sensory cells
Development and regeneration of mechanosensory hair cells in the lateral line
Research area 1
Mechanosensory hair cells are critical for mediating the sensation of sounds in the inner ear, balance in the vestibular system, and water current in the lateral line.
Research area 2
The zebrafish posterior lateral line develops through the collective cell migration of the posterior lateral line primordium during embryonic development. During migration, cells within the primordium are proliferating, differentiating, and undergoing mesenchymal to epithelial transition. The McGraw lab studies mutations that disrupt collective cell migration and lateral line formation. This research will help us understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate collective cell migration in the developing embryo and collective cancer cell invasion.
Research area 3
Lipids are critical for cellular development and homeostasis. The McGraw lab studies the role of the lipid transfer protein cert1a during embryonic developing using zebrafish as a model organism.