The Kirby Lab
Neonatal Perinatal Research Institute
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Yin-Xiong Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics and Cell Biology


        


I am interested in understanding the mechanisms
of conotruncal heart malformations. One ongoing
project in my laboratory is to explore the molecular
networks coordinating SHF (Secondary Heart Field)
development. We are using two unique molecular
technologies to screen gene targets and evolutionarily
conserved gene families. Laser capture microdissection
allows us to select precise cell types and cell numbers.
We then conduct microarray analysis and differential
display of conserved gene family members in those
selected cells. Another focus is using zebrafish to
dissect conotruncal tissue specific DNA cis regulatory
elements and establish conotruncal tissue marked
transgenic zebrafish lines. By crossing these transgenic
lines with fish carrying mutant genes thought to be
involved in conotruncal defects, we will probe the
roles of cellular and gene interactions in conotruncal
development.




Recent publications

Li YX, Papkoff J, Sarkar NH. Antisense downregulation of a mouse mammary tumor virus
activated protooncogene in mouse mammary tumor cells reverses the malignant phenotype.
Virology 255(1):138-49.(1999).

Farrell M, Waldo K, Li YX, Kirby ML. A novel role for cardiac neural crest in heart
development. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 9(7):214-20. (1999)

Li YX, Farrell MJ, Liu RP, Mohanty N, Kirby ML. Double-stranded RNA injection produces
null phenotypes in zebrafish. Development Biology 217:394-405. (2000).

Li YX, Kumiski D, Young L, Leatherbury L, Kirby ML. Cardiac neural crest ablation in
zebrafish embryo. Abstract of Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Conference P52. (2000)

Silva JE, Li YX, Creazzo TL. Ca++ channel B subunit expression in early heart tube
following ablation of the cardiac neural crest. Journal of Molecular and Cellular
Cardiology 32(5):A27. (2000)

Chatterjee B, Li YX, Zdanowicz M, Sonntag JM, Chin AJ, Kozlowski DJ, Valdimarsson G,
Kirby ML, Lo CW. Analysis of Cx43alpha1 promoter function in the developing zebrafish
embryo. Cell Adhesion and Communication 8(4-6):289-92. (2001)

Li YX, Zdanowicz M, Stadt H, Kirby M. The ventral midline endoderm constitutes a molecularly
distinct population of cells. 61st Development Biology Annual Meeting abstract 368. (2002)



Favorite data

ImaGene Red staining in living embryos
shows a 389bp Connexin43 cis element
that drives a LacZ reporter specifically
expressed in the bulbus arteriosus of
the zebrafish heart. A and B are 24 hpf
embryos. A, brightfield; B brightfield
overlaid with rhodamine showing a group
of fluorescent cells in the heart.
C and D are 48 hpf embryos stained
specifically for lacZ (arrows in D)
and MF20 for myocardium (green).