Our research interest is the egg. We examine the molecular biology of oogenesis, fertilization, and the specification of primordial germ cells during early development. We explore conserved mechanisms found in humans, mice, starfish, and sea urchins.

Fertilization and the block to polyspermy: Sperm-egg interactions result in a cascade of responses including exocytosis of cortical granules. This secretory event functions in the permanent block to polyspermy, important for fertilization, and in the formation of a protected environment for early embryonic development. We study the function of cortical granules in the modification of the egg cell surface and extracellular matrix using a molecular analysis of the protease and peroxidase activities, the structural proteins of the fertilization envelope, and the major protein of the extraembryonic matrix, hyalin.

Signaling Mechanisms in Oogenesis, Meiotic Maturation, and Fertilization: We examine the signal transduction pathways leading to normal cell function. These pathways target the release of free calcium into the cytoplasm, the generation of nitric oxide, and resumption of the cell cycle. We find a network of interacting molecular machines that include heterotrimeric G-proteins, and use yeast two-hydrid approaches to identify new components of each pathway.

Oocyte-Specific Transcriptional Mechanisms: Oocytes make several organelles specific to their cell type and transcribe a host of genes not active in any other cell. Some of these genes make the most abundant transcripts in the cell, which are then degraded selectively at maturation of the cell. Using GFP reporter gene constructs, we examine the gene's cis-elements, and through use of bioinformatic approaches, have cloned and are testing specific transcription factors found greatly enriched in oocytes for their contribution to this cell's phenotypic development.

NSF (PI of multi-PI grant) IOS-1923445 EDGE CT: Tools to advance functional

genomic studies in sea urchins.

 

NIH 1R35GM140897-01; 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2026

Mechanisms of specification, quiescence, and regeneration

of primordial germ cells [PI Wessel] 

 

PUBLICATIONS: REFEREED JOURNALS

1.  McClay, D.R., Wessel, G.M., and Marchase, R.B. (1981). Intercellular Recognition: Quantitation of Initial Binding Events.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 78:4975-4979.

 

2.  Wessel, G.M., Marchase, R.B., and McClay, D.R. (1984). Ontogeny of the Basal Lamina in the Sea Urchin Embryo. Dev. Biol., 103:235-245.

 

3.  Wessel, G.M. and McClay, D.R. (1985). Sequential Expression of Germ-Layer Specific Molecules the Sea Urchin Embryo.  Dev. Biol., 111:451-463.

 

4.  Wessel, G.M. and McClay, D.R. (1986). Two Embryonic, Tissue-Specific Molecules Identified by a Double-Label Immunofluorescence Technique for Monoclonal Antibodies. J. Histochem. Cytochem., 34:703-706.

 

5.  Wessel, G.M. and McClay, D.R. (1987). Gastrulation in the Sea Urchin Embryo Requires the Deposition of Collagen in the Extracellular Matrix.  Dev. Biol., 121:149-165.

 

6.  Wessel, G.M., Truschel, M.R., Chambers, S.M., and McClay, D.R. (1987). A Cortical Granule-Specific Enzyme, -1,3-Glucanase in Sea Urchin Eggs.  Gamete Res., 18:339-348.

 

7.  Xiang, M., Bedard, P-A., Wessel, G.M., Filion,M., Brandhorst,B., and Klein, W.H. (1988). Tandem Duplication and Divergence of a Sea Urchin Protein Belonging to the Troponin C Superfamily. J.Biol.Chem.,263:17173-17180.

 

8.  Decker, G.L., Valdizan, M.C., Wessel, G.M., and Lennarz, W.J. (1988). Developmental Distribution of a Cell-Surface Glycoprotein in the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Dev. Biol.,129:339-349.

 

9.  Wessel, G.M., Zhang, W., Tomlinson, C., Lennarz, W.J., Klein, W.H. (1989). Transcription of the Spec 1-like Gene of Lytechinus is Selectively Inhibited in Response to Disruption of the Collagenous Extracellular Matrix.  Development, 106:335-347.

 

10.  Wessel, G.M. (1989). Cortical Granule-Specific Components are Present Within Developing Oocytes and Accessory Cells during Sea Urchin Oogenesis. J.Histochem.Cytochem., 37:1409-1420.

 

11.  Wessel, G.M., Goldberg, L., Lennarz, W.J., and Klein, W.H. (1989). Gastrulation in the Sea Urchin Embryo is Accompanied by the Accumulation of an Endoderm-Specific mRNA. Dev. Biol. 136:526-536.

 

12.  Wessel, G.M., Zhang, W., and Klein, W.H. (1990). Myosin Heavy Chain Accumulates in Dissimilar Cell-Types of the Macromere Lineage in the Sea Urchin Embryo.  Dev. Biol. 140:447-454.

 

13.  Gan, L., Wessel, G.M., and Klein, W.H. (1990). Regulatory Elements from Related Spec Genes of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus Yield Different Spatial Patterns with a lac Z Reporter Gene.  Dev. Biol., 142: 346-359.

 

14.  Gong, Z., Cserjesi, P., Wessel, G.M., and Brandhorst, B.P. (1991).  Structure and Expression of the Polyubiquitin Gene in Sea Urchin Embryos. Mol.Rep.Dev. 28:111-118.

 

15.  Wessel, G.M., Etkin, M., and Benson, S. (1991). Primary Mesenchyme Cells of the Sea Urchin Require an Autonomously Produced, Nonfibrillar Collagen for Skeletogenesis. Dev. Biol. 148:261-272.

 

16.  Wessel, G.M. and Chen, S. (1993). Transient, Localized Accumulation of -Spectrin during Sea Urchin Morphogenesis.  Dev. Biol. 155:161-171.

 

17.  Laidlaw, M. and Wessel, G.M. (1994). Cortical granule biogenesis is active throughout oogenesis in sea urchins.  Development. 120: 1325-1333.

 

18.  Wessel, G.M. (1995). A protein of the sea urchin cortical granules is targeted to the fertilization envelope and contains an LDL-receptor-like motif.  Dev. Biol. 167:388-397.

 

19.  Holy, J., Wessel, G., Berg, L. Gregg, R., and Schatten, G. (1995). Molecular characterization and expression patterns of a B-type nuclear lamin during sea urchin embryogenesis.  Dev. Biol. 168: 464-478.

 

20.  Wessel, G., Clark, F., and Berg, L. (1995). A diversity of enzymes involved in the regulation of reversible tyrosine phosphorylation in sea urchin eggs and embryos.  Comp. Biochm. Phys.110:493-502.

 

21.  Wessel, G.M. and Berg, L. (1995). A spatially restricted molecule of the extracellular matrix is contributed both maternally and zygotically in the sea urchin embryo. Dev. Growth Diff. 37:517-527.

 

22.  Chen, S.W. and Wessel, G.M. (1996). Endoderm differentiation in vitro identifies a transitional period for endoderm ontogeny in the sea urchin embryo. Dev. Biol. 175:57-65.

 

23.  Berg, L., Chen, S.W. and Wessel, G.M. (1996). An extracellular matrix molecule that is selectively expressed during development is important for gastrulation in the sea urchin embryo. Development 122:703-713.

 

24. Berg, L. and Wessel, G.M. (1997). Cortical granules of the sea urchin translocate early in oocyte maturation. Development, 124:1845-1850.

 

25. Conner, S., Leaf, D., and Wessel, G.M. (1997). Members of the SNARE hypothesis are associated with cortical granule exocytosis in the sea urchin egg. Mol. Rep. Dev. 48:106-118.

 

26. Schulz, J., Wessel, G.M., and Vacquier, V. (1997). Syntaxin and VAMP are associated in sea urchin sperm and are shed in membrane vesicles during acrosomal exocytosis. Dev. Biol. 191:80-87.

 

27. LaFleur, G.J., Horiuchi, Y., and Wessel, G.M. (1998). Ovoperoxidase is a member of the heme-dependent peroxidase family and is selectively expressed by developing oocytes. Mech. Dev. 70:77-89.

 

28. Wessel, G. M., Berg, L., Adelson, D., Cannon, G., McClay, D.R. (1998). Molecular characterization of hyalin - a cell adhesion molecule of the hyalin layer. Dev. Biol. 193:115-126.

 

29. Conner, S., and Wessel, G. W. (1998). Rab3 mediates cortical granule exocytosis in the sea urchin egg. Dev. Biol. 203:334-344.

 

30. Edelman, L., Zheng, L., Wang, Z-F., Marzluff, W., Wessel, G.M. and Childs, G. (1998). The TATA-binding protein in the sea urchin embryo is maternally derived. Dev. Biol. 204:293-304.

 

31. Haley, S. and Wessel, G.M. (1999). A cortical granule serine protease CGSP1 of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, is autocatalytic and contains a low-density lipoprotein receptor-like domain. Dev. Biol 211:1-10.

 

32. Conner, S. and Wessel, G. M. (1999). Syntaxin is required for cell division. Mol. Biol. Cell 10:2735-2743.

 

33. Moreno, R.D., Ramalho-Santos, J., Chan, E., Wessel, G.M. Schatten, G. (2000). The Golgi apparatus segregates from the lysosomal/acrosomal vesicle during Rhesus spermiogenesis: Structural alterations. Dev. Biol. 219: 334-349.

 

34. Gross, V.S., Wessel, G.M., Florman, H.M., and Ducibella, T. (2000) A monoclonal antibody that recognizes mammalian cortical granules and a 32 kDa protein in mouse eggs. Biology of Reproduction 63:575-81.

 

35. Conner, S. and Wessel, G.M. (2000). A rab3 homolog in the sea urchin functions in cell division. FASEB J 14:1559-1566

 

36. Ramalho-Santos, J., Moreno, R., Sutovsky, P., Chan, W-S., Hewitson, L., Wessel, G.M., Simerly, C., and Schatten, G. (2000). SNAREs in mammalian sperm: Possible implications for fertilization. Dev. Biol. 223: 54-69.

 

37. Sumerel, J., Morre, J., Schnackenberg, J., Nichols, J., Canman, J., Wessel, G., and Marzluff, W. (2000). Cyclin E and its associated cdk activity do not cycle during early embryogenesis of the sea urchin. Dev. Biol.234:425-440.

 

38. Ramalho-Santos J, Sutovsky P, Simerly C, Oko R, Wessel GM, Hewitson L, Schatten G. (2000). ICSI choreography: fate of sperm structures after monospermic rhesus ICSI and first cell cycle implications. Hum Reprod. 12:2610-20

 

39. Conner, S. and Wessel, G.M. (2001) Syntaxin, VAMP, and Rab3 are selectively expressed during sea urchin embryogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev 58:1-8.

 

40. Wessel, G.M., Zaydfudim, V., Hsu, Y-T., J., Laidlaw, M., Brooks, J. (2001). Direct Molecular Interaction of a conserved yolk granule protein in sea urchins. Dev. Growth Diff 42:507-512.

 

41. Wessel, G.M., Conner, S., Laidlaw, M. Harrison, J., LaFleur Jr., G., (2001). SFE1, a major constituent of the fertilization envelope in the sea urchin is made by oocytes and contains LDL-receptor-like repeats. Biology of Reproduction, 63:1706-1712.

 

42. Ramalho-Santos J, Moreno RD, Wessel GM, Chan EK, Schatten G. (2001). Membrane trafficking machinery components associated with the mammalian acrosome during spermiogenesis. Exp Cell Res. 267:45-60.

 

43. Voronina, E. and Wessel, G.M. (2001). Apoptosis in oocytes, eggs, and early embryos of the sea urchin. Mol. Reprod. Dev 60:553-561.

 

44. Moore, J. C., Sumerel, J., Nichols, J.A., Wikramanayake. A., Wessel, G.M., Marzluff, W.F. (2002). Cyclin D/cdk4 Expression in Early Sea Urchin Embryos:  A Requirement for Cyclin D Prior to Gastrulation. MCB 22:4863-75.

 

45. Brooks, J.M. and Wessel, G.M. (2002). The major yolk protein of sea urchins is a transferrin-like, iron binding protein. Dev. Biol. 245: 1-12.

 

46. Wessel, G.M., Berg, L., and Conner, S.D. (2002). Cortical granule translocation is linked to meiotic maturation in the sea urchin oocyte. Development 129: 4315-4325.

 

47. Voronina, E., Marzluff, W.F., and Wessel, G.M. (2003). Cyclin B synthesis is required for sea urchin oocyte maturation. Dev. Biol. 256:258-275.

 

48. Brooks, J.M. and Wessel, G.M. (2003).  Selective transport and packaging of the major yolk protein in the sea urchin. Dev. Biol 261: 353-370.

 

49. Szule, J.A., Jarvis, S.E., Hibbert, J.E., Spafford, J.D., Braun, J.E., Zamponi, G.W., Wessel, G.M., Coorssen, J. (2003). Calcium-triggered membrane fusion proceeds independently of specific presynaptic proteins. J. Biol. Chem.278: 24251-24254.

 

50. Wong, J., and Wessel, G.M. (2004). Major components in a sea urchin block to polyspermy are structurally and functionally conserved. Evo. Dev.6: 134-152.

 

51. Voronina, E. and Wessel, G.M. (2004). Regulatory contribution of heterotrimeric G-proteins to oocyte maturation in the sea urchin. Mech. Dev.121: 247-259.

 

52. Haley, S.A. and Wessel, G.M. (2004). Regulated proteolysis by CGSP1 at fertilization. Mol. Biol. Cell 15: 2084-2092.

 

53. Brooks, J.M. and Wessel, G.M. (2004).  The major yolk protein of sea urchins is endocytosed by a dynamin-dependent mechanism. Biol. Reprod. 71: 705-713.

 

54. Haley, S.A. and Wessel, G.M. (2004). Proteolytic cleavage of the cell surface protein p160 is required for detachment of the fertilization envelop in the sea urchin. Dev. Biol. 272: 191-202.

 

55. Leguia, M. and Wessel, G.M. (2004). Selective expression of a sec1/munc18 member in sea urchin eggs and embryos. Gene Expr Patterns 4:645-657.

 

56. Covian-Nares F, Martinez-Cadena G, Lopez-Godinez J, Voronina E, Wessel G.M., Garcia-Soto J. (2004). A rho-signaling pathway mediates cortical granule translocation in the sea urchin oocyte. Mech. Dev. 121:225-235.

 

57. Voronina, E. and Wessel, G.M. (2004). Beta/gamma subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins contribute to calcium release at fertilization in sea urchins. J. Cell Science 117: 5995-6005.

 

58. Wong, J., Creton, R., and Wessel, G. M. (2004). The Oxidative Burst At Fertilization Is Dependent Upon Activation of the Dual Oxidase, Udx1. Developmental Cell 7:801-814.

 

59. Wong, J. and Wessel, G. M. (2005). Reactive Oxygen Species and Udx1 During Early Sea Urchin Development. Dev. Bio. 288: 317-333.

 

60. Leguia, M. Berg, L., Conner, S., and Wessel, G.M. (2006). Synaptotagmin I is involved in the regulation of cortical granule exocytosis in the sea urchin. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 73:895–905.

 

61. Leguia, M. and Wessel, G.M. (2006). The Histamine H1 Receptor Activates the Nitric Oxide Pathway at Fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 73: 1550-1563.

 

62. Beane, W.S., Voronina, E., Wessel, G.M. and McClay, D.R. (2006).  Lineage-specific expansions provide genomic complexity among sea urchin GTPases. Dev. Biol. 300:165-179.

 

63. Roux, M.M. Townley, I.K., Raisch, M., Reade, A., Bradham, C., Humphreys, G., Gunaratne, H.J., Killian, C.E., Moy, G., Su, Y-H., Ettensohn, C.E., Wilt, F., Vacquier, V.D., Wessel, G.M., and Foltz, K.R. (2006).  A functional genomic and proteomic perspective of sea urchin calcium signaling and egg activation. Dev. Biol. 300:416-433.

 

64. Juliano, C., Voronina, E., Aldrich, M.A., Stack, C., Cameron, A., and Wessel, G.M. (2006). Germ line determinants are not localized early in sea urchin development. Dev. Biol. 300: 406-415.

 

65. Song, J., Wong, J., and Wessel, G.M. (2006). Oogenesis: single cell development and differentiation. Dev. Biol. 300: 385-405.

 

66. Briggs, E. and G.M. Wessel (2006). In the beginning …. Animal fertilization and sea urchin development.  Dev. Biol. 300:15-26.

 

67. Weinstock, G., Gibbs, R., Sodergren, E., Davidson, E.H., Cameron, A., The Sea Urchin Genome Sequencing Consortium (2006). The Genome of the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Science 314: 941-952.

 

68. Wong, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2006). Rendezvin: an essential gene encoding independent, differentially secreted egg proteins that organize the fertilization envelope proteome after self-association. Mol. Biol. Cell 17: 5241-5252.

 

69. Voronina E, Wessel GM. (2006). Activator of G-protein signaling in asymmetric cell divisions of the sea urchin embryo. Dev Growth Differ. 48(9):549-57.

 

70. Wong, J., Koppel, D., Cowan, A, Wessel, G.M. (2007).  Membrane Hemifusion Is a Stable Intermediate of Exocytosis. Developmental Cell 12: 653-659.

 

71. Song, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2007). Genes involved in the RNA interference pathway are differentially expressed during sea urchin development. Devel. Dyn. 236:3180-3190.

 

72. Lohmueller, J.  Neretti, N.  Hickey, B.  Kaka, A.  Gao, A.  Lemon, J.  Lattanzi, V.  Goldstein, P.  Tam, L.K.  Schmidt, M.  Brodsky, A.S.  Haberstroh, K.  Morgan, J.  Palmore, T.  Wessel, G.  Jaklenec, A.  Urabe, H.  Gagnon, J.  Cumbers, J.   (2007). Progress toward construction and modelling of a tri-stable toggle switch in E. coli. IET Synthetic Biology 1: 25 - 28

 

73. Wong, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2008). Free-Radical Crosslinking of Specific Proteins Alters the Function of the Egg Extracellular Matrix at Fertilization. Development 135:431-440.

 

74. Voronina, E., Lopez, M., Juliano, C., Gustafson, E., Song, J., Extavour, C., George, S., Oliveri, P., McClay, D.R., and Wessel, G.M. (2008). Vasa protein expression is restricted to the small micromeres of the sea urchin, but is inducible in other lineages early in development. Dev. Biol.314: 276-286. PMCID: PMC2692673

 

75. Davis LC, Morgan AJ, Ruas M, Wong JL, Graeff RM, Poustka AJ, Lee HC, Wessel GM, Parrington J, Galione A. (2008). Ca(2+) signaling occurs via second messenger release from intraorganelle synthesis sites. Current Biology 18:1612-1618. PMCID: PMC2581485

76. Gustafson E.A., Wessel G.M. (2008). Polycomb group gene expression in the sea urchin. Dev Dyn. 237:1851-1861. PMCID: PMC287594.

77. Wong, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2009). Extracellular Matrix Modifications at Fertilization: Regulation of Dityrosine Crosslinking by Transamidation. Development 136: 1835-1847. PMCID: PMC2680108

78. Juliano, C., and Wessel, GM. (2009). An evolutionary transition of vasa regulation in echinoderms. Evolution and Development. 11: 560-573. PMCID: PMC3034130

79. Juliano, C., Yajima, M. and Wessel, GM. (2010). Nanos functions to maintain multipotency in the small micromere lineage of the sea urchin embryo. Developmental Biology, 337: 220-232. PMCID: PMC2812692

80. Klatsky, P., Carson, S., and Wessel, G.M. (2010). Detection of Oocyte mRNA in Starfish Polar Bodies. Molecular Reproduction and Development  77: 386. PMCID: PMC287607

81. Ruas M, Rietdorf K, Arredouani A, Davis LC, Lloyd-Evans E, Koegel H, Funnell TM, Morgan AJ, Ward JA, Watanabe K, Cheng X, Churchill GC, Zhu MX, Platt FM, Wessel GM, Parrington J, Galione A. (2010). Purified TPC Isoforms Form NAADP Receptors with Distinct Roles for Ca(2+) Signaling and Endolysosomal Trafficking. Current Biology 20, 703–709. PMCID: PMC2861162

82. Klatsky, P., Wessel, G.M. and Carson, S. (2010). Detection and Quantification of mRNA in Single Human Polar Bodies: a Minimally Invasive Test of Gene Expression During Oogenesis. Molecular Human Reproduction 16(12):938-43. PMID: 20837506

83. Gustafson, EA, Wessel, GM (2010). Exogenous RNA is selectively retained in the small micromeres during sea urchin embryogenesis. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77:836. PMCID: PMC3087629

 

84. Yajima, M. and Wessel, GM (2011). Small micromeres contribute to the germ line in the sea urchin. Development 138:237-243. PMCID: PMC3005600

 

85. Gustafson, EA, Yajima, M, Juliano, C, and Wessel, GM. (2011). Post-translational regulation by gustavus contributes to selective Vasa protein accumulation in multipotent cells during embryogenesis. Developmental Biology 349: 440-450. PMCID: PMC3053044.

 

86. Zazueta-Novoa, Vanesa; Martínez-Cadena, Guadalupe; Wessel, Gary; Zazueta-Sandoval, Roberto; Castellano, Laura; García-Soto, Jesús (2011). Concordance and interaction of guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (RhoGDI) with RhoA in oogenesis and early development of the sea urchin. Development, Growth and Differentiation. 53(3):427-39. PMCID: PMC5123666

 

87. Yajima, M. and Wessel, GM (2011). The DEAD-box RNA helicase Vasa functions in embryonic mitotic progression in the sea urchin. Development 138 2217-2222. PMCID: PMC3091493

 

88. Reich, A., Klatsky, P., Carson, S., and Wessel, G.M. (2011). The Transcriptome of a Human Polar Body Accurately Reflects its Sibling Oocyte. J. Biological Chemistry 286: 40743-9. PMCID: PMC3220517

 

89. Song, J., Stoeckius, M., Maaskola, J., Friedländer, M., Stepicheva, N., Juliano, C., Lebedeva, S., Thompson, W., Rajewsky, N., Wessel, GM (2012). Select microRNAs are essential for early development in the sea urchin. Developmental Biology 362: 104-113. PMCID: PMC3254792

 

90. Sutherby, J., Giardini, J-L., Nguyen, J., Wessel, G., Leguia, M. and Heyland, A. (2012). Histamine is a modulator of metamorphic competence in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). BMC Developmental Biology 2012, 12:14-26.

 

91. Azadi, G., Wessel, GM., Tripathi, A. (2012) Rapid detection and quantification of specific proteins by immunodepletion and microfluidic separation. Biotechnology Journal. 7(8):1008-13. PMCID:PMC3517156

 

92. Reich, A., Neretti, N., Freiman, R., and Wessel, G.M. (2012). Transcriptome variance in single oocytes within, and between, genotypes. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 79(8):502-3.  PMCID: PMC3418669

 

93. Song, J. and Wessel, GM. (2012). The forkhead transcription factor FoxY regulates Nanos. Molecular Reproduction and Development 79:680–688. PMCID:PMC3473121

 

94. Yajima, M. Fairbrother, W. and Wessel, GM (2012). ISWI contributes to ArsI insulator function in development of the sea urchin. Development 139:3613-22. PMCID:PMC3436113

 

95. Yajima, M. and Wessel, GM (2012). Autonomy in Specification of Primordial Germ Cells and their Passive Translocation in the Sea Urchin. Development, 139(20):3786-94. PMCID: PMC3445309

 

96. Oulhen, N., Reich, A., Wong, J., and Wessel GM. (2013).  Diversity in the fertilization envelope of echinoderms. Evolution and Development 15:1, 28–40 (2013) DOI: 10.1111/ede.12012 PMCID: PMC3888873

 

97. Yajima, M. Suglia, E., Gustafson EA., and Wessel^, GM (2013). Meiotic gene expression initiates during larval development in the sea urchin. Developmental Dynamics 242(2):155-63. DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.23904. PMCID:PMC3553291

 

98. Shumpert, B., Guadalupe García, M., Wessel, GM., Wordeman, L., Hille, M. (2013). Roles for focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in blastomere abscission and vesicle trafficking during cleavage in the sea urchin embryo Mechanisms of Development 130: 290-303. DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2012.12.003. PMCID:PMC4017863

 

99. Oulhen, N., Yoshida, T., Yajima, M., Song, J., Sakuma, T., Sakamoto, N., Yamamoto, T., Wessel, GM. (2013). The 3'UTR of Nanos2 directs enrichment in the germ cell lineage of the sea urchin. Developmental Biology 377: 275-283. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.01.019. PMCID: PMC3641670

 

100. Oulhen, N., and Wessel, GM (2013). Retention of exogenous mRNAs selectively in the germ cell precursors of the sea urchin requires only a 5’-cap and a 3’UTR. Molecular Reproduction and Development 80:561–569. PMCID: PMC4379035

 

101. Brayboy LM, Oulhen N, Witmyer J, Robins J, Carson S, Wessel GM, (2013). Multidrug Resistant Transport Activity Protects Oocytes From Chemotherapeutic Agents And Changes During Oocyte Maturation. Fertility and Sterility 100(5):1428-35. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.07.002. Epub 2013 Aug 13. PMCID: PMC3818338. 

 

102. Fresques T, Zazueta-Novoa V, Reich A, Wessel, GM (2013).  Selective accumulation of germ-line associated gene products in early development of the sea star and distinct differences from germ-line development in the sea urchin. Developmental  Dynamics 243: 568-587. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.24038. PMCID:PMC3996927

 

103. Juliano CE, Reich A, Liu N, Götzfried J, Zhon M, Uman S, Reenan, R, Wessel GM, Steele RE, Lin H (2014). PIWI-piRNA pathway function in Hydra somatic stem cells Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111, no. 1 (2014): 337–342. doi:10.1073/pnas.1320965111 PMCID: PMC3890812

 

104. Yajima M, Gustafson EA, Song JL, Wessel GM (2014). Piwi regulates Vasa accumulation during embryogenesis in the sea urchin. Developmental Dynamics 243:451–458. PMCID: PMC4018429

 

105. Oulhen N, Onorato T, Ramos I, Wessel GM (2014). Dysferlin is essential for endocytosis in the sea star oocyte. Developmental Biology 388: 94-102. DOI information: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.12.018. PMCID: PMC3982204

 

106. Campanela J, Oulhen N, Wessel G, Hamdoun A (2014).  Migration of sea urchin primordial germ cells. Developmental Dynamics 243: 917-27.  PMCID: PMC4164171

 

107. Oulhen N, Xu D, Wessel GM (2014). Conservation of sequence and function in fertilization of the cortical granule serine protease in echinoderms. BBRC 450: 1135-1141. PMCID:PMC4133295

 

108. Yewhalaw D, Kelel M, Getu E, Temam S, Wessel G. (2014). Blood meal sources and sporozoite rates of Anophelines in Gilgel-Gibe dam area, Southwestern Ethiopia. African Journal of Vector Biology September 2014

 

109. Zazueta V, Wessel GM (2014). Protein degradation machinery is present broadly during early development in the sea urchin. Gene Expression Patterns 15(2):135-41. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2014.06.002. PMCID: PMC4125525

 

110. Swartz SZ, Reich AM, Oulhen N, Raz T, Milos PM, Campanale JP, Hamdoun A, Wessel GM. (2014). Deadenylase depletion protects inherited mRNAs in primordial germ cells. Development 141(16):3134-42. doi: 10.1242/dev.110395. PMCID:PMC4197533

 

111. Kelel M, Abera G Yisma A,  Molla B, Gebre N, Adugna T, Wessel G (2014). Isolation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from Acacia tree rhizosphere soil. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research 4(5):9-13.

 

112. Ramos I, Wessel G. (2014). Two-pore Channels (TPCs) function in calcium regulation in sea star oocytes and embryos. Development 141(23):4598-609. doi: 10.1242/dev.113563. PMCID: PMC4302940

 

113. Angione S, Oulhen N, Brayboy L, Tripathi A, Wessel GM (2014). Simple Perfusion Apparatus (SPA) for Manipulation, Tracking, and Study of Oocytes and Embryos.  Fertility and Sterility 103(1):281-290.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.09.039. PMCID:PMC4768872

 

114. Kelel, M, Temam S, Mandefro A, Asfaw F, Wessel GM (2014). Bovine Tuberculosis Prevalence in Slaughtered Cattle at Gondar Elfora Abattoir, Based on Meat Inspection and Microscopic Methods. American-Eurasian Journal of Scientific Research 9 (5): 114-119.

 

115. Reich A, Dunn C, Akasaka K, Wessel GM. (2015). Phylogenetic Analyses of Echinodermata Support the Sister Groups of Asterozoa and Echinozoa. PLoS One Mar 20; 10(3);e0119627. Doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119627.  PMCID:PMC4368666

 

116. Yajima M, Wessel GM (2015). Essential elements for translation: the germ line factor, Vasa, functions broadly in somatic cells. Development 142(11):1960-70. doi: 10.1242/dev.118448. PMCID:PMC4460737

 

117. Notarte KIR, Abesamis NP, Wessel GM, Vande Vusse FJ. (2015). Effects of the green alga,

Bornetella oligospora (Solms-Laubach), metabolite fractions on the cleavage and free-

swimming hatching stages of sea urchin embryos. Acta Manilana 63: 19-26.

 

118. Zazueta-Novoa, V, Onorato T, Luis Reyes Chavez G, Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2016) The complexity of yolk proteins and their dynamics in the sea star, Patiria miniata. Biological Bulletin Jun;230 (3):209-19. PMCID: PMC5103698 DOI: 10.1086/BBLv230n3p209

 

119. Fresques T, Swartz Z, Juliano C, Morino Y, Kikuchi M, Akasaka K, Wada H, Yajima M, Wessel GM (2016). The Diversity of Nanos Expression in Echinoderm Embryos Supports Different Mechanisms in Germ Cell Specification. Evolution & Development Jul;18(4):267-78. DOI:10.1111/ede.12197 PMCID: PMC4943673

 

120. Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2016). Differential Nanos 2 protein stability results in selective germ cell accumulation in the sea urchin. Developmental Biology 418: 146-156 doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.07.007 PMCID: PMC5031544

 

121. Oulhen N, Heyland A, Carrier T, Zazueta-Novoa V, Fresques T, Laird J, Onorato T, Janies D, Wessel GM (2016). Regeneration in bipinnaria larvae of the bat star Patiria miniata induces rapid and broad new gene expression. Mechanisms of Development 142: 10-21. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2016.08.003. PMCID:PMC5154901

 

122. Notarte KIR, Abesamis NP, Wessel GM, Vande Vusse FJ (2016). Effects of the green alga, Bornetella oligospora (Solms-Laubach), metabolite fractions on the cleavage and fee-swimming hatching stages of sea urchin embryos. Acta Manilana 1:61-68.

 

123. Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2016). Albinism as a visual, in vivo guide for CRISPR/Cas9 functionality in the sea urchin embryo. Molecular Reproduction and Development Dec;83(12):1046-1047. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22757. PMCID: PMC6430563

 

124. Oulhen N, Swartz Z, Laird J, Mascaro A, Wessel GM (2017). Transient Translational Quiescence in Primordial Germ Cells. Development. Apr 1;144(7):1201-1210. doi: 10.1242/dev.144170. Epub 2017 Feb 24. PMCID:PMC5399625

 

125. Brayboy LM, Oulhen N,  Long S, Voigt N, Raker C, Wessel GM (2017). Multidrug Resistance Transporter-1 and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein protect against ovarian toxicity, and are essential in ovarian physiology. Reproductive Toxicology Apr;69:121-131. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.02.002. Epub 2017 Feb 12. PMCID: PMC5568689

 

126. Niikura K, Alam S, Naruse M, Jimbo M, Moriyama H, Reich A, Wessel GM, Matsumoto M (2017). Protein Kinase A Activity Leads to the Extension of the Acrosomal Process in Starfish Sperm Molecular Reproduction and Development Jul;84(7):614-625. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22824. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

 

127. Schudrowitz N, Takagi S, Wessel G, Yajima M. (2017). The germline factor DDX4 functions in blood-derived cancer cell phenotypes. Cancer Science Aug;108(8):1612-1619. doi: 10.1111/cas.13299. Epub 2017 Jul 11. PMCID: PMC5543511

 

128. Shevidi S, Uchida A, Schudrowitz N, Wessel GM, Yajima M (2017). Single nucleotide editing without DNA cleavage using CRISPR/Cas9-deaminase in the sea urchin embryo. Developmental Dynamics 246:1036-1046. DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24586 PMCID: PMC5872153

 

129. Bucci C, Francoeur M, McGreal J, Smolowitz R, Zazueta-Novoa V, Wessel GM, Gomez-Chiarri M. (2017) Sea Star Wasting Disease in Asterias forbesi along the Atlantic Coast of North America. PLoS ONE 12(12):e0188523. https://doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0188523 PMCID: PMC5724889

 

130. Fresques T, Wessel GM (2018). Nodal induces sequential restriction of germ cell factors during primordial germ cell specification. Development Jan 22;145(2). pii: dev155663. doi: 10.1242/dev.155663. PMCID:PMC5825842

 

131. Brayboy LM, Knapik LO, Long S, Westrick M, Wessel GM. (2018). Ovarian hormones modulate multidrug resistance transporters in the ovary. Contraception and Reprod Med. 3:26. PMID: 30460040; doi: 10.1186/s40834-018-0076-7. PMCID: PMC6236903

 

132. Tilahun B, Tesfaye A, Muleta D, Bahiru A, Terefework Z, Wessel GM. (2018). Isolation and Molecular Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria using 16s rRNA Gene from Fermented Teff (Eragrotis tef (Zucc.)) Dough. International Journal of Food Science vol. 2018, Article ID 8510620, 7 pages, 2018.  doi.org/10.1155/2018/8510620

 

133. Brayboy LM Clark H, Schnirman R, Knapik L, Wessel GM (2018). Nitrogen mustard exposure perturbs oocyte mitochondrial physiology and alters reproductive outcomes.  Reproductive Toxicology Oct 9;82:80-87. PMID 30308227. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.10.002.

PMCID: PMC7050192

 

134. Tilahun B, Bahiru A, Tesfaye A, Muleta D, Terefework Z, and Wessel GM (2019) Molecular Characterization of fermenting Yeast Species from Fermenting Teff Dough during preparation of Injera using ITS DNA Sequence. International Journal of Food Science, Volume 2019, Article ID 1291863, 7 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1291863

 

135. Vecchioni S, Capece MC, Toomey E, Le N, Ray A, Greenberg A, Fujishima K, Urbina J, Paulino-Lima I, Pinheiro V, Shih J, Wessel GM, Wind S, Rothschild LJ. (2019). Construction and characterization of metal ion-containing DNA nanowires for synthetic biology and nanotechnology. Scientific Reports volume 9, Article number: 6942. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43316-1 PMCID: PMC6502794

 

136. Foster S⁺, Teo YV⁺, Neretti N, Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2019). Single cell RNA-seq in the sea urchin embryo shows marked cell-type specificity in the Delta/Notch pathway. Molecular Reproduction and Development Aug;86(8):931-934. doi: 10.1002/mrd.23181. Epub 2019 Jun 14. (+ co-first authors). PMCID: PMC6690749

 

137. Oulhen N, Swartz SZ, Wang L, Wikramanayake A, Wessel GM. (2019). Distinct transcriptional regulation of Nanos2 in the germ line and soma by the Wnt and delta/notch pathways. Dev Biol. 452(1):34-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.04.010. PMCID: PMC6848975

 

138. Gebreslassie E, Tefera A, Muleta D, Kiros S, Wessel GM (2019). Optimization of the Cultivation Conditions of Indigenous Wild Yeasts and Evaluation of their Leavening Capacity. International Journal of Science. Vol 8: 15-23. doi: 10.18483/ijSci.2043 

 

139. Clark H, Knapik LO, Zhang Z, Wu X, Naik MT, Oulhen N, Wessel GM, Brayboy LM, (2019). Dysfunctional MDR-1 disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis in the oocyte and ovary. Scientific Reports Jul 3;9(1):9616. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-4602 PMCID: PMC6610133

 

140. Poon J, Fries A, Wessel GM, Yajima M, (2019) Evolutionary modification of AGS protein contributes to formation of micromeres in sea urchins. Nature Communications 10(1):3779 - 3795. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11560-8. PMCID: PMC6706577

 

141. Wessel, G.M., Kiyomoto, M., Shen, T. Yajima, M. Genetic manipulation of the pigment pathway in a sea urchin reveals distinct lineage commitment prior to metamorphosis in the bilateral to radial body plan transition. Scientific Reports 10, 1973 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58584-5 PMCID: PMC7005274

 

142. Beyene E, Tefera A, Muleta D, Fantahun S, Wessel GM (2020). Molecular identification and performance evaluation of wild yeasts from different Ethiopian fermented products Journal of Food Science and Technology DOI: 10.1007/s13197-020-04377-7

 

143.  Li Y, Omori A, Flores RL, Satterfield S, Nguyen C, Ota T, Tsurugaya T, Ikuta T, Ikeo K, Kikuchi M, Leong JCK, Reich A, Hao M, Wan W, Dong Y, Ren Y, Zhang S, Zeng T, Uesaka M, Uchida Y, Li X, Shibata TF, Bino T, Ogawa K, Shigenobu S, Kondo M, Wang F, Chen L, Wessel GM, Saiga H, Cameron RA, Livingston B, Bradham C, Wang W, Irie N (2020). Genomic tests of body plan transitions from bilateral to pentameral symmetry in Echinoderms. Communications Biology  Jul 10;3(1):371. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-1091-1. PMCID: PMC7351957

 

144. Foster S, Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2020). A single cell RNA-seq resource for early sea urchin development. Development. 2020 Sep 11;147(17):dev191528. doi: 10.1242/dev.191528. PMCID:PMC7502599

145. Perillo M, Oulhen N, Foster S, Spurrell M, Calestani C, Wessel GM, (2020). Regulation of dynamic pigment cell states at single-cell resolution. eLife 9:e60388 DOI:10.7554/eLife.60388. PMCID: PMC7455242

 

146. Tilahun, L., Asrat, A., Wessel, G.M. Simachew A. (2021). In silico determination of nitrogen metabolism in microbes from extreme conditions using metagenomics. Arch Microbiol 203, 2521–2540. doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02227-4

 

147. Pieplow A, Dastaw M, Sakuma T, Sakamoto N, Yamamoto T, Yajima M, Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2021) CRISPR-Cas9 editing of non-coding genomic loci as a means of controlling gene expression in the sea urchin. Developmental Biology Volume 472, April 2021, Pages 85-97doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.01.003.

148. Wavreil FDM, Poon J, Wessel GM, Yajima M. (2021). Light-induced, spatiotemporal control of protein in the developing embryo of the sea urchin. Developmental Biology 478: 13-24.  doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.06.006

149. Wessel, GM, Wada Y, Yajima M, Kiyomoto M (2021). Bindin is essential for fertilization in the sea urchin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) Aug 24; 118(34):e2109636118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2109636118

150. Scaffa A, Yao H, Oulhen N, Wallace J, Peterson AL, Rizal S, Ragavendran A, Wessel GM, De Paepe ME, Dennery PA, (2021). Single-cell transcriptomics reveals lasting changes in the lung cellular landscape into adulthood after neonatal hyperoxic exposure Redox https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2021.102091

151. Tilahun, L., Asrat, A., Wessel, G.M. Simachew A (2021). Microbial diversity in the hypersaline aquatic environments of the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia. African Journal of BioTechnology in press.

152. Wessel, GM, Wada Y, Yajima M, Kiyomoto M (2021). Sperm lacking bindin are infertile but are otherwise indistinguishable from wildtype sperm. Scientific Reports 11:21583 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00570-6

153. Swartz Z, Tan HZ, Perillo, M, Fakhri N, Wessel, GM, Wikramayake A, Cheeseman I  (2021). Polarized Dishevelled dissolution and reassembly drives embryonic axis specification in sea star oocytes. Current Biology 31: 1-9. Dec 20;31(24):5633-5641.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.10.022.

154. Leong J, Li Y, Uesaka M, Uchida Y, Omori A, Hao M, Wenting W, Dong Y, Ren Y, Zhang S, Zeng T, Wang F, Chen L, Wessel GM, Cameron RA, Livingston B, Bradham C, Wang W, Irie N (2021).  Derivedness index for estimating degree of phenotypic evolution of embryos: a study of comparative transcriptomic analyses of chordates and echinoderms. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Evolutionary Developmental Biology) Nov 26;9:749963 PMCID: PMC8661034; DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.749963

155. Tilahun L, Asrat A, Wessel GM, Simachew A. (2021) Prediction of Genes That Function in Methanogenesis and CO₂ Pathways in Extremophiles. Microorganisms. 2021 Oct 24;9(11):2211. doi:  0.3390/microorganisms9112211. PMID: 34835337 

156. Perillo M, Swartz Z Wessel GM (2022). A conserved node in the regulation of Vasa between an induced and an inherited program of primordial germ cell specification. Developmental Biology 482: 28-32.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.11.007

157. Satoh N, Hisata K, Foster S, Morita S, Nishitsuji K, Oulhen N, Tominaga H, Wessel GM (2022).  A single-cell RNA-seq analysis of Brachyury-expressing cell clusters suggests a morphogenesis-associated signal center of oral ectoderm in sea urchin embryos. Developmental Biology: doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.01.005

158. Onorato T, Oulhen N, Reyes G, Foster S, Pieplow C, Rollins JE, Brashears JA, Davis C, Alberts I, Veras ID, Wessel GM (2022). A pandemic-resilient CURE enhances a paradigm shift of community college students from knowledge consumers to authentic knowledge producers. Journal of College Science Teachers, Vol 52, No 7, pages 2-12.

 

159. Oulhen N, Pieplow C, Perillo M, Gregory P, Wessel, GM (2022) Optimizing CRISPR/Cas9-based gene manipulation in echinoderms. Developmental Biology July 30; 490:117-124.  doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.07.008

 

160. Wessel GM, Kiyomoto M, Reitzel A, Carrier T (2022). Pigmentation biosynthesis influences the microbiome in sea urchins. Proceedings of the Royal Society B doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.1088

 

161. Foster S, Oulhen N, Fresques T, Zaki H, Wessel GM. (2022). Single cell RNA sequencing analysis of early sea star development Development 15;149(22) doi: 10.1242/dev.200982. Epub 2022 Nov 18. PMID: 36399063

 

162. Schiebelhut LM, Giakoumis M, Castilho R, Duffin PJ, Puritz JB, Wares JP, Wessel GM, Dawson MN. (2022). Minor Genetic Consequences of a Major Mass Mortality: Short-Term Effects in Pisaster ochraceus. The Biological Bulletin, December 2022, volume 243, number 3: 000–000. https://doi.org/10.1086/722284

 

163. Spurrell M, Oulhen N, Foster S, Perillo M, Wessel GM (2022).  Gene regulatory divergence amongst echinoderms underlies appearance of pigment cells in sea urchin development. Developmental Biology Nov 26;494:13-25. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.11.008. PMID: 36519720

 

164. Schiebelhut LM, Giakoumis M, Castilho R, Garcia VE, Wares JP, Wessel GM, Dawson MN. Is It in the Stars? Exploring the Relationships between Species’ Traits and Sea Star

Wasting Disease. The Biological Bulletin, December 2022, volume 243, number 3: 000–000. https://doi.org/10.1086/722800

165. Jonusaite S, Oulhen N, Izumi Y, Furuse M, Yamamoto T, Sakamoto N, Wessel GM, Heyland A. (2023) Identification of the genes encoding candidate septate junction components expressed during early development of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, and evidence of a role for Mesh in the formation of the gut barrier. Developmental Biology 495:

21-34. 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.12.007.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.12.007

 

166. Oulhen N, Morita S, Warner J, Wessel GM (2023). CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in methodology for the sea urchin embryo. Molecular Reproduction and Development  90:2 pg 69-72.

https://doi.org/10.1002/mrd.23672

 

167. Morita S, Oulhen N, Foster S, Wessel GM. Elements of divergence in germline determination in closely related species. iScience. 2023 Mar 15;26(4):106402. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106402. PMID: 37020963; PMCID: PMC10068562.

 

168. Perillo M, Swartz SZ, Pieplow C, Wessel GM. Molecular mechanisms of tubulogenesis revealed in the sea star hydro-vascular organ. Nature Communication. 2023 May 9;14(1):2402. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-37947-2. PMID: 37160908; PMCID: PMC10170166.

 

169. Pieplow CA, Furze AR, Wessel GM. A case of hermaphroditism in the Gonochoristic Sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, reveals key mechanisms of sex determination. Biology of Reproduction. 2023 Mar 21:ioad036. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioad036. Epub ahead of print. PMCID: PMC10266946 

170. Pieplow C, Wessel G. Functional annotation of a hugely expanded nanos repertoire in Lytechinus variegatus, the green sea urchin. Mol Reprod Dev. 2023 May;90(5):310-322. doi: 10.1002/mrd.23684. Epub 2023 Apr 11. PMID: 37039283; PMCID: PMC10225336.

 

171. Xing L, Wang L, Liu S, Sun L, Wessel GM, Yang H. Single-Cell Transcriptome and Pigment Biochemistry Analysis Reveals the Potential for the High Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Purple Sea Cucumbers. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jul 30;24(15):12213. doi: 10.3390/ijms241512213. PMID: 37569587; PMCID: PMC10419132.

 

172.   Tilahun L, Asrat A, Wessel GM, Simachew A. 2023. Ancestors in the extreme: A genomics view of microbial diversity in hypersaline aquatic environments. Nature Springer: Syncytia: Origin, Structure, and Functions. Vol. 71, (Chapter 10), Malgorzata Kloc and Ahmed Uosef (Eds): Syncytia: DOI : 10.1007/978-3-031-37936-9

 

173. Oulhen N, Morita S, Pieplow C, Onorato T, Foster S, Wessel GM (2023). Conservation and contrast in cell states of echinoderm ovaries. Molecular Reproduction and Development Dec 6. doi: 10.1002/mrd.23721. PMID: 38054259.

 

PUBLICATIONS: PEER-REVIEWED BOOKS, BOOK CHAPTERS, INVITED REVIEWS

1.  McClay, D.R., Cannon, G.W., Wessel, G.M., Fink, R.D., and Marchase, R.B. (1983). Patterns of Antigenic Expression in Early Sea Urchin Development. In: Time, Space, and Pattern in Embryonic Development, (W.R. Jeffery and R.A. Raff, eds.), A.R. Liss, New York, pp. 157-169.

 

2.  McClay, D.R. and Wessel, G.M. (1984). Spatial and Temporal Appearance and Redistribution of Cell Surface Antigens during Sea Urchin Development.  In: Molecular Biology of Development, (E.H. Davidson and R.A. Firtel, eds.), A.R. Liss, New York, pp. 165-184.

 

3.  McClay, D.R. and Wessel, G.M. (1985). The Surface of the Sea Urchin Embryo at Gastrulation: A Molecular Mosaic. Trends in Genetics, 1:12-16.

 

4.  McClay, R.R., Matranga, V., and Wessel, G.M. (1985). Expression and Appearance of Germ-Layer Specific Antigens on the Surface of Embryonic Sea Urchin Cells.  In: The Cellular and Molecular Biology of Invertebrate Development, E.E.Just Symposium, (R.H. Sawyer and R.M. Showman, eds.), USC Press. Columbia, Vol. 12, 171-186.

 

6.  McClay, D.R., Coffman, J.A., and Wessel, G.M. (1987). Cell Recognition during Sea Urchin Gastrulation. Expression of Molecules Associated with Morphogenesis. In: Molecular Approaches to Developmental Biology, (R.A. Firtel and E.H. Davidson, eds.), A.R. Liss, New York, pp. 231-241.

 

7.  Klein, W.H., Tomlinson, C.R., Zhang, W., Xiang, M., Kozlowski, M., Gan, L., Nguyen, T., and Wessel, G.M. (1989). Ectoderm Differentiation and the Spec Gene family of Sea Urchins.  Developmental Biology, UCLA Symposium on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Vol. 125. (Davidson, E., Ruderman, J., and Posakony, J., eds.), Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York, pp.134-145.

 

8.  Klein, W.H., Xiang, M., and Wessel, G.M. (1990). Spec Proteins: Calcium-Binding Proteins in the Embryonic Ectoderm of Sea Urchins.  In: Novel Calcium-Binding Proteins, (C.Heizmann, ed.), Springer-Verlag Press, Heidelberg, pp 465-479.

 

9. Wessel, G.M. (1993). Differentiation of the Endodermal Epithelium during Gastrulation in the Sea Urchin Embryo.  In: Molecular Basis of Morphogenesis. Bernfield, M. (ed.), 51st Annual Symposium of The Society for Developmental Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, pp.255-266.

 

10. Wessel, G.M. (1997). Biogenesis and function of cortical granules in sea urchin eggs. In Progress in Developmental Biology. (Ed. J. Collier) John Wiley and Sons. pgs 267-304.

 

11. Wessel, G.M.and Wikramanayake, A. (1999). How to grow a gut: Mechanisms of gastrulation in the sea urchin embryo. BioEssays 21:459-471.

 

12. Wessel. G.M. (1999). Extracellular matrix molecules of the sea urchin. In Guidebook to the Extracellular Matrix and Adhesion Proteins. (Ed. T. Kreis and R. Vale) Oxford University Press. pg 436-455.

 

13. Wessel, G. M., Brooks, J.M., Green, E., Haley, S., Voronina, E., Wong, J., Zaydfudim, V., and Conner, S. (2001). The Biology of Cortical Granules. In International Review of Cytology. (Ed. K.W. Jeon) Academic Press, San Diego, CA., Volume 209, pgs 117 – 206.

 

14. Brooks, J.M. and Wessel, G.M. (2003). A diversity of yolk protein dynamics and function. Recent Devel. Cell Res., 1:1-30.

 

15. Voronina, E. and Wessel, G.M. (2003). The regulation of oocyte maturation. In Current Topics in Developmental Biology (G. Schatten, ed) Academic Press, Vol 58: 53-110.

 

16. Ettensohn, C.A., Wessel, G.M. and Wray, G. editors (2004). Development of Sea Urchins, Ascidians and Other Non-Vertebrate Deuterostomes: An Experimental Analysis.  Academic Press.

 

17. Ettensohn, C.A., G.M. Wessel, and Wray, G. (2004). The invertebrate deuterostomes: An introduction to their phylogeny, reproduction, development, and genomics. In Development of Sea Urchins, Ascidians and Other Non-Vertebrate Deuterostomes: An Experimental Analysis. Academic Press. pgs. 1-13

 

18. Wessel, G.M. Voronina, E., and Brooks, J.M. (2004). Obtaining and Handling Echinoderm Oocytes In Development of Sea Urchins, Ascidians and Other Non-Vertebrate Deuterostomes: An Experimental Analysis (Eds. Ettensohn, Wessel, Wray) Academic Press. pgs 87-114.

 

19. Wessel, G. M. and Vacquier, V. (2004). Isolation of Organelles and Components From Sea Urchin Eggs and Embryos. In Development of Sea Urchins, Ascidians and Other Non-Vertebrate Deuterostomes: An Experimental Analysis (Eds. Ettensohn, Wessel, Wray) Academic Press. pgs. 491-544.

 

20. Wessel, G.M.  and Katow, H. (2004). Regulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in sea urchin embryos. In Rise and Fall of Epithelial Phenotype Ed. by Pierre Savagner, Landes Bioscience, pg 77-100.

 

21. Wessel, G.M. (2004). Essential Cell Biology, 2^nd edition. Invited Book Review. Quarterly Review of Biology. 74: 417-418.

 

22. Song, J.L. and Wessel, G.M. (2005). How to make an egg: transcriptional regulation in oocytes. Differentiation 73:1-17.

 

23. Wessel, G. M. and Freiman, R. (2005). Every Sperm - Oocyte, and Primordial Germ Cell Protocol - is Sacred. Invited book review “Germ Cell Protocols” Ed. Heidi Schatten. Development 132: 5127-5128.

 

24. Wong, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2006).  Defending the zygote: Search for the ancestral animal block to polyspermy. In Current Topics in Developmental Biology (G. Schatten, ed) Academic Press, vol 72: 1-151.

 

25. Leguia, M.L. and Wessel, G. M. (2007). The many faces of egg activation at fertilization. Signal Transduction. 7: 118-141.

 

26. Wong, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2007). FRAP analysis of secretory granule lipids and proteins in the sea urchin egg. In Methods in Molecular Biology, Andrei Ivanov, Ed. Vol 440, pages 60-75.

 

27. Parrington, J., Davis, L., Galione, A., Wessel, G.M. (2007). Flipping the switch – how a sperm activates the egg at fertilization. Dev. Dynamics. 236:2027–2038.

 

28. Wong, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2008). Renovation of the egg extracellular matrix at fertilization. Int. J. Dev. Biol 52:545-550.

 

29. Wessel, GM and Wong J. (2009) Cell surface changes in the egg at fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Devel. 76: 942-953. PMCID: PMC2842880

 

30. Wessel, G.M. (2009). Mechanisms of Exocytosis. [Invited book review] Quarterly Review of Biology. 84: 418.  

 

31. Wong, J. and Wessel, G.M. (2009). Fertilization and the Evolution of Animal Gamete Proteins. In “The Universal Process of Oogenesis”; (ed M-H.Verlhac) Wiley-Blackwell

 

32. Wessel, G.M., Juliano, C.E., Wong, J., Gustafson, E., Song, J.L. (2010).  Molecular Markers of Oocyte and Primordial Germ Cell Development in the Sea Urchin. In “Echinoderms Durham.” (ed. L.G. Harris, S.A. Boettger, C.W. Walker, and M.P. Lesser) CRC Press pg 517-528. 

 

33. Wessel, GM, Reich, A., Klatsky, PC (2010). Use of sea stars to study reproductive processes. Systems in Reproductive Biology 56:236-45. PMID: PMC3983664

 

34. Gustafson, E, Wessel, GM (2010). Vasa genes: Emerging roles in the germ line and in multipotent cells. BioEssays 32:626-37. PMCID: PMC3090673

 

35. Gustafson, E, Wessel, GM (2010). DEAD-box Helicases: Posttranslational Regulation and Function. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 395: 1-6. PMCID: PMC2863303

 

36. Juliano, CE and Wessel, GM (2010). Versatile Germline Genes. Science 329: 640-641.   PMCID: PMC287601

 

37. Juliano, CE SZ Swartz, and Wessel, GM (2010). A conserved germline multipotency program. Development 137:4113-26. PMCID: PMC2990204

 

38. Schmerler, S. and Wessel GM (2010). Polar Bodies – more a lack of understanding than a lack of respect. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(1):3-8. PMCID: PMC3164815

 

39. Yajima, M. and Wessel, GM (2011). The multiple hats of Vasa function and its regulation of cell cycle progression. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78: 861-867. PMCID: PMC3196769

 

40. Ramos, I., and Wessel, GM. (2013). Calcium pathway machinery at fertilization in echinoderms. Cell Calcium 53(1):16-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2012.11.011. PMCID: PMC4778076

 

41. Seervai, R. and Wessel, GM (2013). Lessons for Inductive Germ-Line Determination. Molecular Reproduction and Development 80: 590-609. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22151. PMCID: PMC4366005

 

42. Wessel GM, Brayboy L, Fresques T, Gustafson EA, Oulhen N, Ramos I, Reich A, Swartz SZ, Yajima M, Zazueta V. (2014). The biology of the germ line in echinoderms. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 81:679-711. PMCID: PMC4102677

 

43. Oulhen N, and Wessel, GM (2014). Every which way – nanos gene regulation in echinoderms. genesis 52:279-286. PMCID: PMC3965602

 

44. Juliano, CE SZ Swartz, and Wessel, GM (2014). Isolating specific embryonic cells of the sea urchin by FACS. In “Methods in Molecular Biology: Developmental Biology of the Sea Urchin and other Marine Invertebrate Model Systems. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 1128: 187-196.  DOI 10.1007/978-1-62703-974-1_12. Humana Press. PMCID: PMC4108900

 

45. Wessel GM, Fresques T, Kiyomoto M, Yajima M, Zazueta V. (2014) Origin and development of the germ line in sea stars. genesis 52(5):367-77. doi: 10.1002/dvg.22772. PMCID:PMC4116737

 

46. Swartz SZ, Wessel GM. (2015). Germ Line Versus Soma in the Transition from Egg to Embryo. In “The Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition” (Ed. H. Lipshitz) Current Topics in Developmental Biology V. 113. Elsevier Press, Amsterdam. Chapter 32. PMCID: PMC5094369 DOI:10.1016/bs.ctdb.2015.06.003

 

47. Wessel GM (2015). Picking the right tool for the job—Phosphorproteomics of egg activation. Proteomics 15(23-24):3925-7 DOI 10.1002/pmic.201500426 PMCID: PMC5093332

 

48. Brayboy LM, Wessel GM (2016). The double-edged sword of the mammalian oocyte – advantages, drawbacks, and approaches for basic and clinical single cell analysis. Molecular Human Reproduction 22(4):311-318. doi:10.1093/molehr/gaw020 PMCID:PMC4767051

 

49. Dresselhaus T, Sprunck S, Wessel GM (2016).  Fertilization mechanisms in flowering plants. Current Biology 26(3):R125-39. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.12.032. PMCID:PMC4934421.

 

50. Wessel GM (2016). Germ line mechanics – and unfinished business. In “Essays of Developmental Biology” (Ed. P. Wassarman) Current Topics in Developmental Biology Volume 117:553-66. doi: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2015.11.030. Epub 2016 Jan 7. Elsevier Press, Amsterdam PMCID: PMC5089805

 

51. Poon J, Wessel GM, Yajima M (2016). An unregulated regulator: Vasa expression in the development of somatic cells and in tumorigenesis. Developmental Biology 415: 24-32. doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.05.012. PMCID:PMC4902722.

 

52. Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2017). A quiet space during rush hour: Quiescence in primordial germ cells. Stem Cell Research 25: 296-299. PMCID: PMC5732843

 

53. Calestani C, Wessel GM (2018). These Colors Don’t Run: Regulation of Pigment Biosynthesis in Echinoderms. Marine Organisms as Model Systems in Biology and Medicine. Kloc M, and Kubiak J. Editors SpringerNature. 2018;65:515-525. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-92486-1_22. PMID:30083933

 

54. Wessel, G. M. (2018). Echinodermata. In M. K. Skinner (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Reproduction. vol. 6, pp. 533–545. Academic Press: Elsevier. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.20600-6

 

55. Roux-Osovitz M, Foltz KR, Oulhen N, Wessel GM (2019).  Trapping, Tagging and Tracking: Tools for the Study of Proteins During Early Development of the Sea Urchin. Methods in Cell Biology 151:283-304. doi: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.11.003. PMCID: PMC7549693

 

56. Oulhen N. Foster S, Wray G, Wessel GM (2019). Identifying gene expression from single cells to single genes. Methods in Cell Biology 151:127-158. doi: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.11.018. PMCID: PMC7384399

 

57. Campanale J, Hamdoun A, Wessel GM, Su Y-H, Oulhen N (2019). Methods to label, isolate, and image sea urchin small micromeres. Methods in Cell Biology 150:269-292. doi: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.11.007. PMCID: PMC6487853

 

58. Lin C-Y, Oulhen N, Wessel GM, Su Y-H (2019). CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in sea urchins. Methods in Cell Biology 151:305-321. doi: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.10.004. PMCID: PMC7357425

 

59. Perillo M, Pagano P, Spurrell M, Arnone I, Wessel GM. (2021). Methodology for Whole Mount and Fluorescent RNA in situ Hybridization in Echinoderms: Single, Double, and Beyond. Methods in Molecular Biology pg 195-216. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0974-3_12

 

60. Duncan FE, Schindler K, Schultz RM Blengini C, Stein P, Stricker SA, Wessel GM, Williams CJ (2020). Unscrambling the oocyte and the egg: clarifying terminology of the female gamete in mammals. Mol Hum Reprod. 2020 Oct 6:gaaa066. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa066. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33022047

 

61. Wessel GM, Morita S, Oulhen N. (2021) Somatic cell conversion to a germ cell lineage - a violation or a revelation. Journal of Experimental Zoology B Molecular and Developmental Evolution https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.b.22952.

 

62. Oulhen N, Byrne M, Duffin P, Gomez-Chiarri, M, Hewson I, Hodin J, Konar B, Lipp EK, Miner BG, Newton AL, Schiebelhut LM, Smolowitz R, Wahltinez SJ,  Wessel GM, Work TM, Zaki HA,  Wares JP (2022). A review of asteroid biology in the context of sea star wasting: possible causes and consequences.  The Biological Bulletin August 2022, volume 243, number 1: 50-75. https://doi.org/10.1086/719928

 

63. Wessel GM, Xing L, Oulhen N. (2023). More than a color; how pigment influences colorblind microbes. Philosophical Transactions B. in press

 

64. Wessel, G. M. (2024). Echinodermata. In M. K. Skinner (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Reproduction. In press

 

 

SPONSORED PUBLICATIONS

1. Jason R Kelly, Adam J Rubin, Joseph H Davis, Caroline M Ajo-Franklin, John Cumbers, Michael J Czar, Kim de Mora, Aaron L Glieberman, Dileep D Monie and Drew Endy (2009). Measuring the activity of BioBrick promoters using an in vivo reference standard. Journal of Biological Engineering 3:4 [doi:10.1186/1754-1611-3-4] iGEM publication (members underlined)

2. Jourjine, Nicholas (2010). Reproduction of the plasmodial slime molds. Mol.Reproduction and Development 77:999. Results from a project in the class BI1930, Evolution of multicellularity and the germ line.

 

3. Clark H, Vera B, Zhang Z, Brayboy LM (2020).  MDR-1 function protects oocyte mitochondria against the transgenerational effects of nitrogen mustard exposure. Reproductive Toxicology Volume 98,  Pages 252-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.10.010

 

4. Fernandez-Nicolas A, Uchida A, Poon J, Yajima M. Vasa nucleates asymmetric translation along the mitotic spindle during unequal cell divisions. Nat Commun. 2022 Apr 20;13(1):2145. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29855-8. PMID: 35444184; PMCID: PMC9021227.

 

(Provided grant support, lab space, writing and editorial work, project identification, experimental design, and data interpretation)

 

PUBLICATIONS: EDITORIALS, ESSAYS, COMMENTARIES, PHOTO DOCUMENTATION

1. Wessel, GM (2009). A New Generation. Molecular Reproduction and Development 76(1): fmi.
2. Wessel, GM (2009). Meet the Editors. Molecular Reproduction and Development 76(2): fmi.
3. Wessel, GM (2009). Eggs over easier ….please. Molecular Reproduction and Development 76(11): fmi.
4. Wessel, GM (2009). Yolk in terminology. Molecular Reproduction and Development 76(12): fmi. PMID: 19866521
5. Wessel, GM (2010). The apoptotic oocyte. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(1): fmi. PMID: 19921738
6. Wessel, GM (2010). On the shoulders of giants: Edward Grant Conklin. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(2): fmi.
7. Wessel, GM (2010). The scientific process – or – wishful thinking? Whatever happened to the word test? Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(3): fmi. PMID: 20082441
8. Wessel, GM (2010). “Origin” of the germinal vesicle. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(4): fmi. PMID: 20186926
9. Wessel, GM (2010). On the shoulders of giants: Christian Andreas Victor Hensen. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(6): fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21194
10. Wessel, GM (2010). A synthetic future in reproduction and development? Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(7) fmi: DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21212. PMID: 20578059
11. Wong, JL, Wessel, GM (2010). Genes involved in the block to polyspermy. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77 (6):473. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21185 PMID: 20422707
12. Wessel, GM. (2010) What will they think of next? Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(8): fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21220 PMID: 20672444
13. Wessel, GM. (2010) On the shoulders of giants: Christian Heinrich Pander. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(9):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21236
14. Waxman, J. Martindale, MQ. Wessel, GM. (2010). John Morrill: Scientist, Educator, Friend. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(10):fmi.  DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21247
15. Wessel GM. (2010). On the shoulders of giants: some called her God. Molecular Reproduction and Development 77(11):fmi. DOI:10.1002/mrd.21254. PMID: 21104765.
16. Wessel, GM (2011). The yellow body. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(1) DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21283. PMID: 21268175.
17. Wessel, GM (2011). The subculture of cell culture. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(2):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21292. PMID: 21337446.
18. Wessel, GM (2011). Accessorizing the testis. Ernrico Sertoli and the “mother cell” of the testis. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(3):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21299. PMID:21425202.
19. Wessel, GM (2011). Creativity, simplicity, and Ray Rappaport (1922-2010). Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(4):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21313
20. Horgan, C., Terrero, G., and Wessel, GM. (2011). In the extremes – Traumatic insemination. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(5):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21322
21. Creton, R., Wessel, GM (2011). The passing of a major wave: Lionel Jaffe. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(6):fmi.  DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21338.
22. Wessel, GM (2011). Life on the Fringes – Let’s try it this way. Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(1):78(8):fmi.  DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21370. PMID: 21850682. .
23. Wessel, GM (2011). Y does it work this way? Nettie Maria Stevens (July 7, 1861 – May 4, 1912). Molecular Reproduction and Development 78(9):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21390. PMID 22095870.
24. Wessel, GM (2012). Zoologist, artist, naturalist: Libbie Henrietta Hyman December 6-1888 – August 3, 1969). Molecular Reproduction and Development 79(1):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22008. PMID: 22276309.
25. Wessel, GM (2012). What makes our field unique? Molecular Reproduction and Development 79(2):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22022. PMID: 22252929.
26. Wessel, GM (2012). The baculum: The fastest source for intercourse. Molecular Reproduction and Development 79(3):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22026. PMID: 22345068.
27. Leguia, M., and Wessel, GM. (2012) The Histamine H1R receptor at fertilization. Molecular Reproduction and Development 79(4):237. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22031
28. Wessel, GM (2012). The anatomy of transcription: Oscar Lee Miller (April 12, 1925–January 28, 2012) Molecular Reproduction and Development 79(6):fmi. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22048; PMID: 22588972.
29. Wessel, GM (2012). Xs and Ys and Barrs and Lyons. Molecular Reproduction and Development 79(7):fmi.  DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22064; PMID:22761028.
30. McKinnell Z, Wessel GM. (2012). Ligers and tigons and .....what? ....oh my! Molecular Reproduction and Development 2012 Aug;79(8):Fmi, DOI:10.1002/mrd.22074. PMID:22888027
31. Wessel, GM (2012). Clouded by terminology: Edouard-Gérard Balbiani and the mitochondrial cloud. 79(9):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22107.
32. Wessel, G.M. (2012). The “first” maternal effect gene. 79(10):Fmi. DOI:10.1002/mrd.22116
33. Wessel, G.M. (2013). Getting schooled the ol'fashioned way. August Weismann and the “germ terms” Molecular Reproduction and Development 80(1) Fm i.:DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22149
34. Wessel, G.M. (2013). Getting from point A to point B …the diverse routes for germ-line determination.  Volume 80, Issue 8. August 2013.
35. Wessel, G.M. (2013). The opinions of Ernest H. Starling.  Volume 80, Issue 11. November 2013.
36. Wessel, G.M. (2013). George Nicholas Papanicolaou: (May 13, 1883 - February 18, 1962). Volume 80, Issue 12. December 2013.
37. Wessel, G.M. (2014). Microscope not included. Reinier de Graaf (1641-1673). Molecular Reproduction and Development Mar;81(3):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22315 PMID:24633879

38. Wessel, G.M. (2014). Sperm in the reproduction flea marker …. How do they move that way? Molecular Reproduction and Development Apr;81(4):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22325. PMID:24729274

39. Wessel, G.M. (2014). The founder of an institution. Robert E. Cooke and the NICHD. Molecular Reproduction and Development May;81(5):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22335.PMID: 24838389

40. Wessel, G.M. (2014). Japanese shrine captures Roman goddess! Molecular Reproduction and Development Jun;81(6). doi: 10.1002/mrd.22347. PMID:24925828

41. Wessel, G.M. (2014). When traveling – or making a germ line – packing in advance provides more options! Molecular Reproduction and Development  Jul;81(7):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22246. PMID:25043169

42. Wessel, G.M. (2014). Of camels, silkworms, and contraception. Molecular Reproduction and Development  Sep;81(9):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22416. PMID:25209327

43. Wessel, G.M. (2014). Extreme eggs! Molecular Reproduction and Development  Oct;81(10):fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22431. PMID:25312881

44. Wessel, G.M. (2014). Everything I know about sex I wish I learned from a ciliate. Molecular Reproduction and Development  Nov;81(11):fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22435. PMID:25384715
45. Wessel, G.M. (2014). Long live reproductive diversity …. And the marvelous monotremes. Molecular Reproduction and Development Dec;81(12):fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22449. PMID:25545746
46. Wessel, G.M. (2015). If I had a name like that …. I would probably change it. Molecular Reproduction and Development Jan;82(1):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22458. PMID:25619967
47. Wessel, G.M. (2015). The most famous (or important) plumber of all! Caspar Friedrich Wolff (January 18, 1735-February 22, 1794). Molecular Reproduction and Development Feb;82(2):Fmi. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22460. PMID:25663316
48. Wessel, G.M., Swartz, S.Z. (2015). Earlier, but later than that, though not that early… Simplifying the many shades of gray in germ line determination. Volume 82, Issue 4. April 2015 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22484

49. Wessel, G.M. (2015). Having one's mate for dinner. Volume 82, Issue 5. May 2015. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22497

50. Wessel, G.M. (2015). The strength in comparison: Franz von Leydig (May 21, 1821 - April 13, 1908). Volume 82, Issue 6. June 2015. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22510

51. Wessel, G.M. (2015). How to retire with style.  Volume 82, Issue 9. September 2015. DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22583

52. Wessel, GM (2015). How to smell really bad, look really good, and last forever! : The season of Ginkgo biloba (page fmii) 14 DEC 2015 | DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22601

53. Wessel GM. (2016). The milk line - where mammary gland meets mathematics. Molecular Reproduction and Development Jan;83(1):1. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22610.

54. Wessel GM.(2016) Reproduction in the extremes: That is one tough nut …errhh…drupe to crack! Molecular Reproduction and Development Feb;83(2):89. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22623.

55. Wessel GM.(2016). The morphogenesis of words … it happens in science too! Molecular Reproduction and Development Mar;83(3):183. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22629.

56. Wessel GM. (2016). When one is (more than) enough! The singular ovary in birds…. Molecular Reproduction and Development Apr;83(4):271. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22645.

57. Laird J, Wessel GM.(2016) Well, at least it is better than death…. Molecular Reproduction and Development May;83(5):371. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22658.

58. Norlin M, Wessel GM (2016) To the extremes and beyond… Now those are talented mammary glands! Molecular Reproduction and Development Jun;83(6):465. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22665.

59. Board T, Wessel GM. (2016). I did not see that coming! It is more than bugs in the bagina. Molecular Reproduction and Development Jul;83(7):571. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22679

60. Wessel GM (2016) Now that is a game changer: The entire reproductive cycle of an oocyte in a dish. Molecular Reproduction and Development Nov;83(11):939. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22754.

61. Wessel GM (2016) Toxic embryos? Oh my…. Molecular Reproduction and Development Dec;83(12):1041. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22764.

62. Wessel GM (2017) T'is a chilly season for reproduction. Molecular Reproduction and Development Jan;84(1):1. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22777. 

COVER ILLUSTRATIONS

1. Trends in Genetics, Vol.1, No.1 (1985).
2. Genes and Development, Vol.4, No.1 (1990).
3. Developmental Biology, Vol.142, No.2 (1990).
4. Molecular Reproduction & Development, Vol 58, No.1 (2001).
5. Developmental Biology, Vol 261, No 2 (2003).
6. Evolution & Development, Vol 6 No. 3 (2004).
7. Journal of Cell Science, Vol 117, No. 25, (2004).
8. Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol 73, No 12 (2006).
9. Development Growth and Differentiation Dec. (2006)
10. Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol 76, No 1 (January2009).
11. Development 136, No. 11 (June 2009)
12. Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol 77, No.10 (October 2010)
13. Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol 79, No. 8 (August 2012)
14. Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol 82, No. 6 (June 2015)
15. Development Vol 142, No.11 (June 2015)
16. Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol 82, No. 11 (November 2015)
17. Molecular Reproduction and Development Vol 83, No. 12 (December 2016)

 

Fellow of the Marine Biological Laboratory, F.B. Bang Fellowship, Woods Hole, MA; 1991
Basil O'Conner Starter Scholar Research Award, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation; 1992-1994
Visiting Summer Scholar, Duke University Marine Laboratory; 1993, 1994, 1998-present
NIH Research Career Development Award, 1997-2002
Visiting Scientist, Asamushi Marine Lab, University of Tohoku, March 1999, 2003, 2005
Elizabeth H. LeDuc Award for Teaching Excellence in the Life Sciences, Brown University, 2003
Astor Visiting Lectureship, University of Oxford, Cambridge England, 2008
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Elected 2011

• Editorial Boards
• Scientific Reports, Member Editorial Board 2023 - present
• Faculty Opinions, contributing member 2020- present
• Member, BMC Developmental Biology, 2004 – 2020, Editorial Advisor 2020-2021
• Editor, Zygote (Cambridge Press), 2013 - present
• Academic Editorial Board, PeerJ, 2012 - present
• Editor-in-Chief, Molecular Reproduction and Development (Wiley) , 2008 - 2018
• International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology, Advisory Board, 2014 - 2018
• Executive Editor, Molecular Reproduction and Development, 2007-2008
• The Open Cell and Developmental Biology Journal 2007 - 2016
• Section Editor, MCB, BMC Biology Image Library, 2006 - 2016
• Member, Developmental Dynamics. 2002 - 2015
• Member, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 2002 – 2017
• Associate Editor, Molecular Reproduction and Development, 2000 – 2007
• Reviews Editor, Developmental Biology, 1998 – 2008
• Member, CRC Year Book of Developmental Biology, 1988-1990
• NIH Center for Scientific Review Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel March 2024
• NICHD- P50 center applications: “National Centers for Translational Research in Reproduction and Infertility (NCTRI)” panel member April 2024
• NIEHS Site Visit Reviewer, Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory (ESBCL) ad hoc, November 2023
• NIH CSR Special Emphasis Panel for Fellowships on Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, and Bioengineering ZRG1 F05-Q (20) Chairperson and panel member 02/2022, 07/2022, 11/2022
• NIH Special Emphasis Panel ZRG1 EMNR-V(02) 2020/10, Chairperson and panel member 07-2020
• NIH Special Emphasis Panel of R01 and R21 grant applications Endocrine and Reproductive Biology ZRG1 FO5U Chairperson and panel member, 2019, 2020
• NIH Special Emphasis Panel of R01 and R21 grant applications Endocrine and Reproductive Biology ZRG1 EMNR-F(02) Chairperson and panel member, 2019
• NIH Cellular and Molecular Integrative Reproduction (CMIR) NIH IRG Panel Member Oct 2019, Oct 2021
• NIH Fellowship (F31 and F32) Review Panel (F05U, Cell Biology and Bioengineering) October 2019. Chairperson and Panel member
• NIH Fellowship (F31 and F32) Review Panel (F05U, Cell Biology and Bioengineering) June 2019. Panel member and Vice-Chair
• NIH Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Special Emphasis Panel (2019/01 ZRG1 EMNR-P), Panel member, 2019 
• NIH Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Special Emphasis Panel (2018/01 ZRG1 EMNR-V), Chairperson and panel member, 2018 
• External Site Reviewer, Periodic Program Review for Program of Biology and for Program for Environmental Sciences, LaGuardia Community College, NY 2018 
• NIH Special Emphasis Panel of R01 and R21 grant applications Endocrine and Reproductive Biology ZRG1 EMNR-V(02) Chairperson and panel member, 2017
• NIH Special Emphasis Panel of R01 grant applications for PAR-15-020: Systems Developmental Biology for Understanding Embryonic Development and the Ontogeny of Structural Birth Defects, Chairperson and panel member, 2017
• NIH ZRG1 BBBP-Y (45) RFA Panel: Animal/Biological Resource Facilities, Panel member 2015, 2016
• American Society for Cell Biology Nominating Committee 2022 - 2023
• American Society for Cell Biology International Affairs Committee (IAC); Associate Member 2022
• Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, evaluator, National Curriculum in Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Biotechnology.  2016 - 2020
• Young Scholars Conference, Brown University, Poster Judge, 2016
• Adviser and Instructor for the International Marine Lab Open Courses, Asamushi Research Center for Marine Biology, Asamushi, Japan 2014, 2015, 2016
• NSF Developmental Systems, Animal Developmental Mechanisms & Evo/Devo Review Panel, 2015
• Co-organizer (with Dr. Richard Cardullo) American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Pacific Division, Molecular Reproduction and Development Section, 2014
• Center for Scientific Review Advisory Panel to Dr. Richard Nakamura, Endocrine, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences Integrated Review Group (EMNR IRG) panel member and chairperson, 2014
• NIH/DP5 Director’s Early Independence Award Reviewer, 2014. 
• Gordon Conference on Fertilization and Activation of Development, Vice-Chairperson, 2013; Chairperson, 2015
• NSF IOS Grant Review Panel (Developmental Biology) 2013
• Co-organizer (with Dr. Carmen Williams) of the Triangle Area Conference on Regenerative Medicine and Reproduction, Duke University, Durham NC. 2013
• Center for Computational Regulatory Genomics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA, an NIH – supported facility, Advisory Committee 2012 - 2018
• Scientific site visiting committee for Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - BioDev UMR 7009, VilleFranche-sur-mer, France. November 2012
• American Association for the Advance of Science, Program Committee - Session Proposal Reviewer, 2012
• Grant reviewer for The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Committee on Research and Development, 2012 - present
• Co-Organizer (with John Gearhart and Deborah Driscoll) MRD/UPenn Conference on Regenerative Medicine and Reproduction, University of Pennsylvania, June 2011
• Co-Organizer (with Steve Stricker – University of New Mexico and Takeo Kishimoto – Tokyo Institute of Technology) Conference on Germ Cells and Oocyte Maturation Sept 2010
• Grant reviewer for Medical Research Council, United Kingdom 2010
• Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole MA, Corporation Committee on Courses, member, 2010 - 2016.
• Wiley Conference on Molecular Reproduction and Development. Brown University organizer 2009
• NIH Board of Scientific Counselors Review; National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Member 2008, 2010
• Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole MA, Embryology course Faculty, 2003 - 2006
• Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole MA, Education Committee member, 2003 – 2012
• National Institutes of Health, Reviewer: Cellular, Molecular, and Integrative Reproduction Study Section (CMIR) 2008 – 2013 (member); CMIR Chairperson 2011 -2013; Cellular Biology and Physiology Study Section, Subcommittee 1, (CBY1 – ad hoc) June 1994, February 1995; Cell and Developmental Function-5 (CDF-5 - ad hoc) October 2001; Reproductive Biology, Feb 2002; 2008 (ad hoc); Dev-2 February 2005 (ad hoc); Dev-1, February 2006 (ad hoc);
• Developmental Biology of the Sea Urchin, Conference Co-organizer, 1997, 2006, 2015
• Textbook reviewer: Wiley Press, Cell and Molecular Biology, Karp, 4^th edition, 2006; Sinauer Press, Developmental Biology, Gilbert, 8^th edition, 2005; Garland Science, Essential Cell Biology. Second edition. Alberts et al., 2004;
• 2005 SACNAS National Conference; Poster judge
• FASEB Finance Committee, Representative from Society for Developmental Biology; NIH and NSF representative, 2001 - 2004
• FASEB’s Fiscal Year 2001 Federal Funding Consensus Conference, member of NIH and NSF advisory panel, Fall 1999 - 2004
• Society for Developmental Biology, Treasurer, 1996-1999
• New England Regional Developmental Biology Conference, Session Co-Organizer, 1998
• Society for Developmental Biology, Board of Trustees, Northeast Representative, 1993-1996

             New England Regional Developmental Biology Conference, Co-Organizer, 1995

             National Institutes of Health, Study Section;  R-15 (AREA) Grants, 1993, 1994, 1996

             52nd Annual Symposium of the Society for Developmental Biology; Brown University Faculty Sponsor, and Chairperson, Local Arrangements Committee;  1993

             Reviewer of Manuscripts for: Developmental Biology, 1988 - present (Average 5 manuscripts per year); Development, 1991 – present 2-3 per year); EvoDevo, 2014 – present (1-2 per year); Journal of Experimental Zoology, 1988 - 1998; Wilhelm Roux Archives of Developmental Biology, 1990 - 2000; Aquaculture, 2005 – 2012 (3 per year); Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology; 1991-2008; Molecular and Cellular Biology, 1994- 2010; Science 2002 – present (1 per year); Current Biology (Average one- two manuscripts per year each).

             Reviewer of Grants for: The National Science Foundation (USA), 1988-present; The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, 1997 - 2002; The Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences, 1992-1994; The North Dakota Program in Science Excellence, 1995; The United States Department of Agriculture, 2000 – present; Lalor Foundation, 2003; The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) Committee on Research and Development (CRD) 2012 – present; United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation 2013 – present).

             New England Regional Developmental Biology Conference, Session Chairperson, 1993

             New England Biology Teachers Conference, Chairperson and Conference Organizer, Brown University, 1992

             National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Special Review Committee, (Minority Fellowships) 1992, 1993

             American Association of Anatomists; Advisory Committee of Young Anatomists; 1987-1990

• American Society of Zoology; Representative of the Division of Cell and Developmental Biology for the Committee of Student Affairs; 1985-1990

             M.D. Anderson Associates Steering Subcommittee on Trainee Representation, 1987-1990

             Mellon Foundation Panel Discussant for: The Academics Handbook, eds. A.L. Deneef, C.D. Goodwin, and E.S. Stern), Duke University Press, 1988; 1985-1986  

 

BIOL1330 Biology of Reproduction. The Biology of Reproduction investigates the cellular, molecular, evolutionary and developmental mechanisms of how organisms sexually reproduce. We will examine each transition in the circle of life beginning with mechanisms of fertilization, progressing to how embryos form their primordial germ cells, how these cells reach the developing gonad, and how the stem cells of the gametes - the mother of all stem cells - develop into functional eggs and sperm. While most of the course materials will depend on our vast knowledge from well known organisms studied for these mechanisms, including humans, mice, sea urchins, flies and roundworms, one of the best ways to understand the process is through the examination of diverse organisms and the differences in their reproductive mechanisms.  

Course website: https://canvas.brown.edu/courses/1094086

 

BIOL 1210, Synthetic Biological Systems is a multidisciplinary course that merges biology with engineering, synthetic biology, biotechnology, mathematical modeling, chemistry, and physics along with society and ethics to provide students an integrated approach to the life sciences. The course is formatted to include lectures, discussions, student presentations, and innovative projects in order to build an understanding of the thought processes and tools necessary for cross-disciplinary work in the life sciences.  

Course website: https://canvas.brown.edu/courses/586429