Kira L. Heikes

The paper shows Yap mechanotransduction creates a self-limiting feedback loop for zebrafish semicircular canal formation, integrating mechanical forces and transcriptional responses to ensure robust development.

The paper shows hydrostatic pressure from the inflating otic vesicle shapes zebrafish semicircular canals, driving pillars toward a common geometry and ensuring vestibular function.

The paper identifies Lmx1b as a regulator of hyaluronan and Versican in zebrafish inner ear semicircular canal morphogenesis, showing how Versican controls hyaluronate density and hydration through its core and chondroitin side chains.

The paper identifies segmentally iterated expression patterns of FGF and BMP pathway genes in tardigrade embryos, suggesting roles in segmentation and dorsal-ventral patterning.

This study identifies the embryonic origin of primordial germ cells in the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris using molecular markers and lineage tracing.