Education:
BA 1977 Biology - University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
MS 1979 Genetics - Washington State University, Pullman, WA
PhD 1986 Molecular Biology - University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship:
1986 - 1990 Yale University, New Haven, Conneticut
1991 - 1995 University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Started at USC: 1995
Research Topics: Cancer Cell Biology, Cell Cycle, Growth & Proliferation, Developmental Biology, Gene Regulation/Transcription
Research Description
Sex hormones regulate the expansion and involution of many organ systems. In some cases these pathways become disrupted leading to disease or tumor formation. We have been examining the mechanism through which hormones exert their actions and how these pathways interact with known growth regulatory pathways using two model systems. 1) Our studies have indicated that cell-extracellular matrix interactions play a significant role in hormone responsiveness. Using a mouse mammary gland model, we are studying the role of growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules in this process. Through interdepartmental collaborations we are translating our findings in the mouse model to human better understand possible means of preventing human disease. 2) The size and structure of chicken tail feathers show dramatic sexual dimorphisms between roosters and hens. This model presents a unique opportunity to study hormone action in a controlled in vivo experimental system. We are examining hormone-receptor-transcriptional coactivator interactions to better grasp why some regions of the skin are more responsive to hormone stimulation than others.
10 Selected Publications:
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Plikus MV,Widelitz RB,Maxson R,Chuong CM - Analyses of regenerative wave patterns in adult hair follicle populations reveal macro-environmental regulation of stem cell activity. - Int J Dev Biol [2009] Mar 4;(): PubMed
Widelitz RB - Wnt signaling in skin organogenesis. - Organogenesis [2008] Apr;4(2):123-33 PubMed
Chuong CM,Widelitz RB - The river of stem cells. - Cell Stem Cell [2009] Feb 6;4(2):100-2 PubMed
Mayer JA,Foley J,De La Cruz D,Chuong CM,Widelitz R - Conversion of the nipple to hair-bearing epithelia by lowering bone morphogenetic protein pathway activity at the dermal-epidermal interface. - Am J Pathol [2008] Nov;173(5):1339-48 PubMed
Widelitz RB,Veltmaat JM,Mayer JA,Foley J,Chuong CM - Mammary glands and feathers: comparing two skin appendages which help define novel classes during vertebrate evolution. - Semin Cell Dev Biol [2007] Apr;18(2):255-66 PubMed
Widelitz RB,Baker RE,Plikus M,Lin CM,Maini PK,Paus R,Chuong CM - Distinct mechanisms underlie pattern formation in the skin and skin appendages. - Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today [2006] Sep;78(3):280-91 PubMed
Lin CM,Jiang TX,Widelitz RB,Chuong CM - Molecular signaling in feather morphogenesis. - Curr Opin Cell Biol [2006] Dec;18(6):730-41 PubMed
Wu P,Jiang TX,Shen JY,Widelitz RB,Chuong CM - Morphoregulation of avian beaks: comparative mapping of growth zone activities and morphological evolution. - Dev Dyn [2006] May;235(5):1400-12 PubMed
Yue Z,Jiang TX,Widelitz RB,Chuong CM - Wnt3a gradient converts radial to bilateral feather symmetry via topological arrangement of epithelia. - Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A [2006] Jan 24;103(4):951-5 PubMed
Yue Z,Jiang TX,Widelitz RB,Chuong CM - Mapping stem cell activities in the feather follicle. - Nature [2005] Dec 15;438(7070):1026-9 PubMed
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