Dr. Mary Mullins

Biography

Mary C. Mullins is a Professor in the Biomedical Graduate Studies at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on BMP signal transduction and the molecular mechanisms of cell specification in vertebrates. Dr. Mullins has significantly contributed to understanding the maternal control of embryonic development, particularly through her work with zebrafish models. She investigates the BMP signaling pathway's role in establishing key aspects of the vertebrate body plan, including neural crest specification and the balance of cell types along the dorsal-ventral axis. Her lab employs various methods, including antisense knockdown, to dissect the molecular basis of these processes. Dr. Mullins's work has identified critical genes necessary for developmental processes and has implications for understanding diseases like Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP). Throughout her career, she has led numerous studies exploring maternal regulation and the genetic underpinnings of embryonic development.

Research Interests