Christopher J. Johnson

Using CRISPR/Cas9 to investigate the role of candidate human disease gene orthologs in Ciona

The paper uses CRISPR/Cas9 in Ciona robusta to study the developmental roles of candidate human disease gene orthologs, finding Pgm3 knockout causes significant larval tail elongation defects.

An NKX2-5 homolog is required downstream of BMP signaling to pattern the sensory-adhesive organ of a tunicate larva

The paper identifies NK4 as a transcription factor downstream of BMP signaling that patterns the papillae in Ciona embryos by restricting Foxg expression to three cell clusters.

A protocadherin mediates cell-cell adhesion and integrity of the oral placode in the tunicate Ciona

This study identifies protocadherin.e as essential for maintaining the structural integrity and separation of the oral placode in Ciona robusta through cell-cell adhesion.

Evolution of a chordate-specific mechanism for myoblast fusion

The paper investigates the evolutionary origins of myoblast fusion mechanisms in chordates, identifying the emergence of Myomaker and Myomixer and their roles in muscle development across species.

Neuron subtype-specific effector gene expression in the Motor Ganglion of Ciona

The paper compares transcriptomes of two neuron subtypes in Ciona's Motor Ganglion to identify subtype-specific effector genes involved in morphogenesis and differentiation.