These differences may help elucidate the molecular events involved in avian lung evolution. Whole mount in situ hybridization was performed to stain for particular gene expression within the lungs. Tissues were then digitally photographed using a Diagnostic Instruments Spot camera. At the developmental stages examined, the expression patterns for these genes are similar to those found in mouse embryo lungs. Our results show similar gene expression patterns in the chick embryo lung to those known in the mouse.
Genes controlling the more derived aspects of chick lung development are yet to be identified.
The expression patterns of other genes, homologous to those known to be expressed in mouse embryo lungs, will be explored. Any deviations from gene expression patterns in the mouse lung may provide insight to the evolutionary events leading to the derivation of the avian lung. Sonic hedgehog regulates branching morphogenesis in the mammalian lung. Expression of fibroblast growth factor-8 in adult rat tissues and human prostate carcinoma cells.