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Faculty - Alicia Ebert

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Alicia Ebert, Assistant Professor

  • PhD, Colorado State University, 2008
  • University of Wyoming, 2001-2002, Research Assistant, Department of Molecular Biology
  • University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 2002-2003, Research Assistant, Department of Neuroscience
  • University of Calgary, 2008-2012, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy
  • University of Vermont, 2012 - , Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Area of expertise

eye development

Contact Information
Email: Alicia Ebert

Office Hours:
Marsh Life Science Building, Rm 313
Phone: (802) 656-0458

Research

My research focuses on two aspects of zebrafish eye development. The eyes develop from forebrain tissues and must migrate bilaterally to take up their final position. I am interested in what mechanisms/molecules are involved in maintaining eye tissue cohesion as they undergo elegant movements of morphogenesis and migration. I have discovered a novel role for signaling molecules previously known for their roles in axon guidance, semaphorins and plexins, in tissue cohesion of the developing eye.

The other focus of my research involves fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling in patterning the retinal vasculature and maintenance of Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) morphogenesis and survival. Loss of FGF8a or inhibition of the FGF receptors (FGFRs) results in embryos with fewer RGCs and small optic nerves. We are uncovering a role for FGF signaling in maintenance and survival of RGCs by regulating vascularization of the retina.

Publications

  • Ebert AM, Childs SJ, McFarlane S. 2012. PlexinA2 and Sema6A Regulate Tissue Cohesion of the Developing Eye. Submitted.
  • Chernyavskaya Y, Ebert AM, Milligan E, Garrity DM. 2011. The voltage gated calcium channel b2 protein is required in the heart for control of cell proliferation and heart tube integrity. In press Developmental Dynamics
  • Ebert AM, Lamont RE, Childs S, McFarlane S. 2011. Neuronal expression of class 6 semaphorins in zebrafish. In press Gene Expression Patterns.
  • Ebert AM, McAnelly CA, Handschy AV, Mueller RL, Horne WA, Garrity DM. 2008. Genomic organization, expression and phylogenetic analysis of Ca2+ channel β4 (CACNB4) genes in thirteen vertebrate species. Physiological Genomics. Oct 8;35(2): 133-44.
  • Ebert AM, McAnelly CA, Srinivasan A, Muller RL, Garrity DB, Garrity DM. 2008. The calcium channel beta2 (CACNB2) subunit repertoire in teleosts. BMC Molecular Biology. 9(38).
  • Ebert AM, McAnelly CA, Srinivasan A, Linker JL, Horne WA, Garrity DM. 2008. Ca2+ Channel-independent requirement for MAGUK-family CACNB4 genes in initiation of zebrafish epiboly. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105(1); 198-203.
  • Ebert AM, Hume GL, Warren KS, Cook NP, Burns CG, Mohideen MA, Siegal G, Yelon D, Fishman MC, Garrity DM. 2005. Calcium extrusion is critical for cardiac morphogenesis and rhythmicity in embryonic zebrafish hearts.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102(49); 17705-17710.
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