# The systems developmental biology of zebrafish body elongation

> **NIH NIH R35** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $632,313

## Abstract

This research program focuses on the systems developmental biology, biophysics and
biomechanics of early spinal column development. The research program utilizes zebrafish as
model for understanding the mechanisms of human development and causes of birth defects
such as scoliosis and spina bifida. The experimental approach is driven by the idea that
quantitative in vivo analysis will lead to fundamental insights into the emergence of biological
organization from the collective interaction of its constituent parts. The research program
combines genetics, embryology, in vivo biophysics, live imaging and systems level data analysis
and computational modeling to study pattern formation and morphogenesis. The proposed
research program will address a number of questions regarding biological order and the
reproducibility of embryonic development. The program will follow-up on the lab’s recent finding
that a dynamically stable pattern of cell state transitions underlies the reproducibility of
development to understand the mechanisms maintaining dynamic stability during zebrafish body
elongation. The research program will also examine the mechanism of mechanical information
regulating the flux of cells through a developmental trajectory. The program will address how
tissue-tissue interactions constrain cell behavior during body elongation. At the molecular and
cellular level, the program will utilize newly developed methods for in vivo single molecule
biophysics to study cell adhesion protein dynamics and their relation to cell state transitions and
cell morphology. Overall, this is multi-scale research program that considers the roles of
molecules, cells and tissues in the genesis of order in the developing embryo.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10757397
- **Project number:** 5R35GM148348-02
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT A HOLLEY
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $632,313
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-01-01 → 2027-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10757397

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10757397, The systems developmental biology of zebrafish body elongation (5R35GM148348-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10757397. Licensed CC0.

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