Developmental Genetics Research Group
Established in 2002 the Children's Cancer and Developmental Research Group is a collaboration between research teams in the Departments of Paediatrics and Paediatric Surgery and the Children's Haematology Oncology Centre.
We are interested in the biology and genetics of developmental disorders, particularly those that produce major surgical conditions.
The developmental research group has been investigating the role of developmentally regulated genes (particularly those related to Sonic Hedgehog) in the pathogenesis of major surgical abnormalities affecting the foregut and hind gut using a rat model.
In addition, the group has been investigating in vitro tissue-engineering of smooth muscle sheets with peristalsis using a murine induced pluripotent stem cell line.