Research Program                                   

Cell/Extracellular Matrix Interactions During Embryonic Development: Our lab is currently investigating the role of the matrix chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, versican, during formation of the skeletal template and synovial joints in the embryonic limb. Using a variety of constructs to knock down expression or over-express specific domains and isoforms of versican we hope to ascertain its function during early development of the appendicular skeleton.  

Courses Taught

BIOL 4060, 4061. Embryology.

BIOL 4071, 6071. Human Gross Anatomy

BIOL 7090, 7091. Experimental Embryology.

Recent Publications

Capehart, A.A. (2010). Proteolytic cleavage of versican during limb joint development. The Anatomical Record, 293: 208-214.

Shepard, J. B., Gliga, D. A., Morrow, A. P., Hoffman, S., & Capehart, A. A. (2008). 

Versican knock-down compromises chondrogenesis in the embryonic chick limb. The Anatomical Record, 291 (1), 19-27.

Cronin, K. D. & Capehart, A. A. (2007).  Gamma protocadherin expression in the

embryonic chick nervous system. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 3 (1), 8-11.

Shepard, J. B., Krug, H. A., LaFoon, B. A., Hoffman, S., & Capehart, A. A. (2007). 

Versican expression during synovial joint morphogenesis. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 3 (6), 380-384.

Williams, D. R., Presar, A. R., Richmond, A. T., Mjaatvedt, C. H., Hoffman, S., A.A.

Capehart, (2005).  Limb chondrogenesis is compromised in the versican deficient hdf mouse. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 334, 960-966.

Snow, H. E., Riccio, L. M., Mjaatvedt, C. H. , Hoffman, S., & Capehart, A. A. (2005). 

Versican expression during skeletal/joint morphogenesis and patterning of muscle and nerve in the embryonic mouse limb. The Anatomical Record, 282A, 95-105.

Richmond, A. T., Atwood, J., Bream, J., Mjaatvedt, C. H. , Hoffman, S., AA Capehart,

(2004, published 2005).  Neural tissue co-culture with mesenchyme to investigate patterning of peripheral nerve during murine embryonic limb development. Cytotechnology, 46, 173-182.

Laboratory Personnel

	Partha Nagchowdhuri MS Student