The Gofundme page for my research

I've created the GoFundMe page. I'll be posting pictures this weekend of the results of my latest experiments, which were astoundingly clear demonstrations my hypothesis is correct.

EDIT: The correct page link: https://www.gofundme.com/choanal-atresia-genetic-model

I've also added microscopy images of the mutants.

The pathologies resulting were exact duplications of a number of syndromes, demonstrating the LGR5-Wnt-Bcat downstream signal link from all the causative mutations in all of them. It's very clear that LGR5-Bcat signaling and regulation is essential for palate and nasopharynx formation, and FGFR2IIIc may be required for LGR5 expression in these regions, which I wish to study in the next series of experiments along with what other Wnt receptor is involved in the formation of the nasopharynx, since losing Bcat expression alone only results in a severe cleft palate and NOT choanal atresia, while compound Bcat-LGR5 knockouts have a phenotype far more severe than LGR5-KO alone.

So the Wnt-Bcat is important, but there is a SECOND Wnt involved, since LGR5 prevents ubiquitinization (and internalization/degradation) of most Wnt receptors, and that Wnt pathway appears to modulate the proliferation induced by LGR5 inactivation alone. This is unusual, because the canonical Bcat pathway triggers proliferation... and indeed there is a reduction of proliferation in the Bcat mutant, resulting in a large posterior cleft and lack of the soft palate. BUT, losing LGR5 (and thus canonical Wnt-Bcat is decreased since LGR5 is no longer present to prevent Wnt receptor degradation) enormously INCREASES proliferation and causes the fusion of the nasopharnyx (choanal atresia)! This suggests an additional cell proliferation pathway which is being downregulated either directly by LGR5 or by the suspected second Wnt receptor pathway.

Now, given that FGFR2IIIc is expressed in the mesenchyme in this region, and FGFs ALSO promote proliferation, AND FGFR2 isoforms are known to promote LGR5 expression in other tissues, it is likely what we are seeing is a dynamic two-fold regulatory loop taking place during the crucial 2-day period of normal LGR5 expression in these developing structures. The primordia in these regions will be moving into place over these days (e10.5 to e12.5 in mice), and precede the fusion of the upper palate and development of the nasopharynx by e13.5 into e14.5. Clearly, the loss of the regulatory activity of LGR5 and Bcat during these two days in these crucial mesenchymal cells is devastating to the normal development.

So, not only does my model reveal the central role of LGR5-Wnt-Bcat signaling, it also isolates the exact cell groups in which this signaling plays the pivotal role! And, with the LGR5 mutant being a Cre-recombinase-expressing line, I can selectively knockout any gene for which a LoxP selective mutant has been created, allowing me to identify any gene additionally important in these particular governing cells. The entire process of the formation of the sinuses, upper oral cavity, and nasopharynx could be uncovered with the Lgr5-Cre-GFP line... and I must inform the creators of this mouse line of this potential, among the many other things I need to do related to it.

https://www.gofundme.com/choanal-atresia-genetic-model

But first and foremost, I need to protect my compound mutant lines, as they will cost at least $100K and a full year to recreate if they're lost. I'm sure any lab doing craniofacial research will be very pleased to pick up these mice for free (since it's research, they won't need to pay for them from our lab). And my name goes on any resulting papers as the one reporting the initial findings. :]

I need a very FAST campaign, as we lose the mouse funding in just a little over a week (which I was informed of last week, rather than until the end of July as I'd been told initially, arg) and so the word needs to get out QUICKLY!