We have three general areas of interest in the lab. The first is pattern formation in the Drosophila eye disc. We have used a genetic mosaic screen to identify novel genes required for the normal pattern of photoreceptor differentiation. Several of these genes have given us insight into the mechanism of Hedgehog signaling and the role of the cytoskeleton in differentiation. Secondly, we are interested in the interaction of signaling pathways with the general transcriptional machinery. We have evidence that subunits of the mediator complex and the Brahma chromatin remodeling complex are specialized to transmit certain signals. Finally, we are interested in axon guidance in the visual system, particularly in the mechanism by which the R7 photoreceptor finds its correct target layer.