The major area of interest in our laboratory at the present time involves studies of factors that control morphogenesis. The laboratory uses embryos of the local starfish, Pisaster ochraceus for these studies. These embryos make an excellent model system as they are relatively simple and they are clear so that cellular movements and interactions can easily be followed even in living embryos. In addition, large numbers can be raised in synchronous culture making it possible to obtain sufficient material for biochemical studies. They are also inexpensive and readily obtainable. Our studies involve the use of light, fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopy using colloidal gold probes, time-lapse videomicroscopy, hybridoma technology, electrophoresis and biochemistry. These techniques are currently being used to isolate, characterize, and localize ECM molecules which are unique to the starfish system and which appear to be involved in controlling morphogenesis.

Maghsoodi, B & Crawford, BJ. An ECM epitope necessary for morphogenesis inembryos of the starfish, Pisaster ochraceus. J Morphol, 26(3): 310-321 (2004).

Crawford, BJ and Burke, RD. TEM and SEM Methods: in Methods in Cell Biology, Ettensohn, Wray and Wessel. eds. Experimental analysis of thedevelopment of sea urchins and other non-vertebrate deuterostomes. Methods Cell Biol. 74: 411-41 (2004).

Pang, T., Crawford B.J. and Campbell, S.S. (2002). Ultrastructural aspects of the development of the hyaline layer and extracellular matrix lining the gastrointestinal tract in embryos and larvae of the starfish Pisaster ochraceus preserved by freeze substitution. J. Morphol. 251: 169-181.

Crawford, B.J. and Martin, C. (1998). Effect of microgravity on the development of embryo/larvae and the larval esophageal musculature of the purple starfish, Pisaster ochraceus. Can. J. Zool. 76(9): 1641-1650.

Crawford, B.J. and Martin, C. (1998). Ultrastructure and differentiation of the larval esophageal muscle cells of the starfish Pisaster ochraceus. J. Morphol. 237: 1-18.

Reimer, C.L. and Crawford, B.J. (1997). Isolation and characterization of an endodermally derived, proteoglycan-like extracellular matrix molecule that may be involved in larval starfish digestive tract morphogenesis. Develop. growth and Diff. 39: 381-397.

Campbell, S.S., Reimer, C.L. and Crawford, B.J. (1997). Ultrastructure and Synthesis of the Extracellular Matrix of Pisaster ochraceus Embryos Preserved by Freeze Substitution. J. Morph. 232: 133-153.

Reimer, C.L. and Crawford, B.J. (1995). Identification and partial characterization of yolk and cortical granule proteins in eggs and embryos of the starfish, Pisaster ochraceus. Dev. Biol. 176: 439-457.