Abstract The U.S. sheep industry has experienced many changes over the last 50 years, most prominent being a 75% reduction in national breeding ewe inventory. Wool now accounts for ~10% of enterprise returns compared to ~80% from sale market lambs. Most objective work indicates greatest emphasis should be placed on traits associated with reproductive efficiency [e.g., number lambs born/weaned (...

We have shown previously that Notch is involved in neuronal subtype specification in the epiphysis, a simple structure containing only two neural subtypes: projection neurons and photoreceptors. Our data suggest that two distinct signals are required for photoreceptor fate specification: one, involving Notch, for the inhibition of projection neuron traits and the other for the induction of the ...

The importance of BMP receptor Ia (BMPRIa) mediated signaling in the development of craniofacial organs, including the tooth and palate, has been well illuminated in several mouse models of loss of function, and by its mutations associated with juvenile polyposis syndrome and facial defects in humans. In this study, we took a gain-of-function approach to further address the role of BMPR-IA-medi...

The finding that morphogens, signalling molecules that specify cell identity, also act as axon guidance molecules has raised the possibility that the mechanisms that establish neural cell fate are also used to assemble neuronal circuits. It remains unresolved, however, how cells differentially transduce the cell fate specification and guidance activities of morphogens. To address this question,...

We have shown previously that Notch is involved in neuronal subtype specification in the epiphysis, a simple structure containing only two neural subtypes: projection neurons and photoreceptors. Our data suggest that two distinct signals are required for photoreceptor fate specification: one, involving Notch, for the inhibition of projection neuron traits and the other for the induction of the ...