Benjamin Martin, an Associate Professor at Stony Brook University and member of the Cancer Center, has been awarded a $2 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The grant will fund his research on neuromesodermal progenitors for five years, starting from June 1, 2023, to gain a better understanding of their molecular and cellular biology. Dr. Martin holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
At The Martin Lab, zebrafish embryos are used as a model to study neuromesodermal progenitors – stem cells that play a crucial role in the development of spinal cord and skeletal muscles. Thanks to a grant, Martin and colleagues are conducting research to better define and observe these stem cells. The lab’s ultimate objective is to enhance our knowledge of the vertebrate body plan by studying zebrafish embryos, and to gain insights into stem cell biology and the mechanisms of cancer metastasis.
This image captured by the Martin lab shows three different time points of a developing zebrafish to demonstrate how differentiated neurons and muscle expand as the embryos grow. The image shows the zebrafish reporter transgenes that label skeletal muscle (magenta color) and neurons (green color). © Benjamin Martin
Martin and his colleagues are studying zebrafish to show how neurons and muscle grow as embryos develop. They are investigating neuromesodermal progenitors, which are present in all vertebrate embryos. By using zebrafish as a model, they hope to gain a better understanding of how these cells develop, and how the embryonic body plan is formed. They are also investigating how the spinal cord and skeletal muscle are induced from this population.
Martin has been awarded the Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) by NIGMS, which supports established scientific investigators. This award acknowledges the significance of Martin’s lab research and encourages their ongoing efforts to make a breakthrough in the field of cell biology.
NIGMS supports fundamental studies that shed light on biological processes and catalyze advancements in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. It also leads efforts to train the next generation of scientists, promote diversity in the workforce, and expand research capacity nationwide.
