https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/publications daily 0.75 2025-08-13 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/researchoverview daily 0.75 2021-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608673912526-JXNZPZOOM4C8RA0H7M2N/LRO-CX43+with+caption.jpg Research - Cilia in the development of Left-Right Asymmetry The development of non-random asymmetry along the left-right axis is a unique feature of vertebrate development. Defects in this process in mouse and man commonly affect the development of the heart and result in severe congenital cardiac anomalies. Our goal is to understand the mechanism by which embryonic cilia create and signal left-right positional information, and to investigate whether cilia have essential roles in other developmental processes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608654549072-02QLHBC0FZ9PZ0H72H2T/6+outflow+with+cilia+arrows+with+caption.jpg Research - Cilia in Heart Development Our work on cilia at the LRO, and previous work on cilia in the kidney and endothelial cells, demonstrates that cilia can be mechanosensors. We have identified cilia in a dynamic distribution in the developing heart, suggesting that intracardiac cilia are cardiac mechanosensors that integrate contraction and flow with morphogenesis. Our goal is to understand intracardiac cilia as mechanosensors during heart development, especially in the formation of heart valves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608078464310-WNE233Q28UPA0LER4CC6/Htx.jpg Research - Genomics in Congenital Heart Disease How does understanding the novel and remarkable mechanism by which cilia drive left-right and cardiac development connect to patients with congenital heart disease? To this end, we have established collaboration with Richard Lifton and the Yale Center for Genome Analysis, and have become part of the Pediatric Cardiac Genomics Consortium (PCGC). The PCGC has recruited ~14,000 patients with CHD so far and aims to apply current genomic approaches in order to develop a more global understanding of the genetics of congenital heart disease. Work is ongoing to begin to connect genotype with clinical outcome and reconnect the developmental biology work with clinical pediatric cardiology. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1609790340765-738VNNQMTGRILTF1V3X2/wt+cardiomyocytes+with+caption+2.gif Research - Epigenetics in Cilia and Cardiac Development Our whole exome sequencing of CHD patients and their parents has allowed us to identify a multitude of de-novo dominant mutations in chromatin remodeling genes. Interestingly, upon creating knockdown animal models for a few of these CHD-associated chromatin remodeling genes, we found that they had ciliary motility defects in addition to cardiac defects. Our current work is to understand how these chromatin remodeling genes, currently focusing on the H2Bub1 mark catalyzed by the RNF20-complex, mechanistically lead to ciliary and cardiac abnormalities during development. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607963825246-BOMM151E2QLK7O6E3JVP/cilia%2B2.jpg Research Left-Right Asymmetry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607963836954-F6VYW7MR881NXEQITY3H/genomics%2B2.jpg Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607963850243-YD8ZBSKUA5WDI98QXU2R/heart%2B2.jpg Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607963862379-KJRN0GHXR7CNSQ49ZDLG/epigenetics%2B2.jpg Research https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news daily 0.75 2025-10-27 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/martina-brueckner-have-been-elected-to-the-national-academy-of-medicine-nam-for-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-11-24 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/kathryns-paper-accepted-in-nature-cardiovascular-research monthly 0.5 2025-08-13 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/anea-presents-at-the-2025-weinstein-conference monthly 0.5 2025-08-13 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/two-papers-on-the-genetics-of-chd monthly 0.5 2025-08-13 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/anna-joins-the-lab monthly 0.5 2025-04-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/92285e7b-527f-4318-a5d5-9d315c5e728c/Anna_Ponek.JPG News - Anna joins the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/chelsea-joins-the-lab monthly 0.5 2025-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1737745376557-JB5CH70TPKJ93Z3AUDJC/headshot.jpg News - Chelsea joins the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/ken-presents-the-nhlbi-bench-to-bassinet-research-program-meeting monthly 0.5 2024-10-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/7b9f5755-ae68-4f5f-987e-1d34153b5594/ken_present.png News - Ken presents @ the NHLBI Bench to Bassinet Research Program Meeting - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/read-about-the-history-of-heterotaxy-research-nautilus-magazine monthly 0.5 2024-10-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/b429928a-29fb-441c-8239-2749e3423b88/sweet_tomato_shutterstock.png News - Read about the history of heterotaxy research @ Nautilus Magazine - Situs inversus in mice An image of two neonatal mice from our lab, featured in the article. Note that the milkspot is normally on the left side of the body as in the pup on the left; the pup on the right with situs inversus has it on the right. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/qtchhoubclifp7sqp3lu3oyi4iuga0 monthly 0.5 2024-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/a2c80bc2-c6d4-4548-895b-e2e7bc430b11/roxanna-award.jpg News - Roxanna presents at the Yale Genetics Retreat (and wins an award!) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/roxanna-attends-the-2024-sdb-mid-atlantic-meeting monthly 0.5 2024-07-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/ec7284f4-eed7-4cdb-82f5-77148f30f1f7/Screenshot_20240521-134559.png News - Roxanna attends the 2024 SDB Mid-Atlantic meeting - Make it stand out Her wonderful talk! https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/jwekjwotum9tadsaks1a2k3aswbjz9 monthly 0.5 2024-07-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/8e50e3b8-286a-443d-9b67-02662845f832/WhatsApp+Image+2024-07-30+at+10.54.50_3216dc2a.jpg News - Kathryn defends her dissertation! - Make it stand out With our PI, Dr. Brueckner https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/jicu5nnaxwlk1p5b6qvhmhdohudihj monthly 0.5 2024-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/de634e88-4f26-4678-9aba-be1062ffe203/Screenshot+2024-05-21+134008.png News - Roxanna passes her quals! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/548utvngwapwaxurq2fqscz2ob2lqx monthly 0.5 2023-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/dfa1bae4-ab6e-4f30-a45f-e2afa4c7aa69/headshot.png News - Liana joins the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/jzksuyknzatpc1sq730z53rewbxuq1 monthly 0.5 2023-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1bf33ff4-2c48-4d35-a5e3-1d205292af31/PXL_20230721_210535935.jpg News - Kathryn and Sveta attend SDB 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/9p63nfunosy0cakin1imemjn9fr96y monthly 0.5 2023-06-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1e01cddc-5d2d-4e31-9ead-51859fa10123/IMG_7170.jpeg News - Anea joins the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/v7l5zofuo7abv4p38xx2gyige3vot4 monthly 0.5 2023-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/4de95283-33e0-4392-b60a-cd22323ebc96/IMG_20210520_145954_2.jpg News - Roxanna joins the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/aejpfqtld33c2lex7qypd1yeo2nffy monthly 0.5 2023-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/c8f6c4aa-26e5-4eb0-bd8d-c91dfa80d019/Headshot.jpeg News - Jessica joins the lab! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/47prnh1f2k9jrw1qmaiwc4ua8rksd3 monthly 0.5 2023-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/3f086953-3a55-4ac0-a586-ac3a0aaab910/ezgif-2-9bc9d0d900.gif News - Ken passes his Qualifying Exam - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/rxspiphuiy8kx2pno562hhjr1y7480 monthly 0.5 2023-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/96842f55-c01b-4248-8a17-7dc3c3fcc0e9/341994015_5025114004280256_8740793823566284803_n.jpg News - Kathryn attends the GRC: Endothelial Cell Phenotypes in Health and Disease 2022 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/hhlzl7536hznmz1cpk6bzjnxvscxoo monthly 0.5 2023-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/86b48867-75e6-4f6f-a109-0e640fbebac4/343607647_140553388978111_5581207799767981799_n.jpg News - Faith presents her Honors Research Project - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/bjkfi91tr7n0ty46cejlhdbjti2ywb monthly 0.5 2023-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/3bc38055-7ee5-4723-8fd7-396d7e82d3b9/343432200_1377631469683728_5322418945215401154_n.jpg News - Kathryn and Faith attend NESDB 2022 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/niuoztbzwvngtnc5xukdpo07e84jg5 monthly 0.5 2022-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/065082ca-da4e-41d8-8940-e9e072fb173a/journal+cover.jpg News - Kathryn co-first authors review in Nature Cardiology Rev. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/3hxrwk4whutljhgts7c9fx7inr65fh monthly 0.5 2022-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642623997034-S7486WLZATMOHF18NA65/syndi+defense+2.jpg News - Syndi successfully defends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642624329269-MOYSMWP0HQCHSPBJINOJ/ezgif-5-347b7cec6c.gif News - Syndi successfully defends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642624099193-BHY8033DTVRN9BD7N9Z3/20211104_162414.jpg News - Syndi successfully defends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642624033198-7ZK8BLKEHRX0SX6S80B1/20211106_130255.jpg News - Syndi successfully defends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642624099390-1TA6W7LV2380DXJZEFFY/20211106_130219.jpg News - Syndi successfully defends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642624031071-3EG79LD80XJ6S8YB8HU2/20211106_130244.jpg News - Syndi successfully defends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642624037847-0B5GP77RDOQF40B81AWK/20211106_150512.jpg News - Syndi successfully defends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1642624239614-KCC4111FORKGPY9X6I12/20211106_150324.jpg News - Syndi successfully defends! https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/pa8e4k40uy2db7z44nf0eqjqnpw01q monthly 0.5 2022-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/63f3772f-8af7-4868-8c3b-17d361adcdf0/genes-12-01020-g002.jpg News - Syndi and Nick co-author on a review in Genes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/kathryn-awarded-nih-f31 monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608155693497-GROBWGDEUUM1D6OKASAL/QkTJ3jwo_400x400.jpg News - Kathryn is Awarded NIH F31 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/yale-genetics-retreat-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608063600086-QL9WL0HN7EE8UDUUN8NF/2020+retreat.jpg News - Lab attends Yale Genetics Retreat 2020 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/nick-joins-the-lab monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1609798998224-VY3DD952IPOOIWJBPG8K/image0.jpg News - Nick Joins the Lab https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/syndi-presents-pcgc-2019 monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1609788882371-LBQIGVD6G6HQ3JEXRRHD/newlogo.png News - Syndi Presents Poster at Bench to Bassinet Conference 2019 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/yale-genetics-retreat-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608063643443-3LMH21ZXGOAFB9OUFSAB/EDjhN9oWsAAExgJ.png News - Lab Attends Yale Genetics Retreat 2019 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/faseb-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608064795324-RR3MXSRZFSIXN7RUOQXK/SRC_SM190806+copy+2.jpg News - Kathryn attends FASEB 2019 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/sveta-and-syndi-publish monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608064306811-RBA566HF7VNYIO7S11AS/syndi+sveta+paper.jpg News - Sveta and Syndi publish in PNAS https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/isabella-and-jake-graduate monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1609787128035-OO5TSXRE8V5284OQGED9/Yale-Class-2019_YaleNews.jpg News - Isabella and Jake Graduate https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/syndi-presents-pcgc-2018 monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1609788163892-4ETAPIOKVWNMJE3XRQXT/newlogo.png News - Syndi Presents at the Bench to Bassinet Conference 2018 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/shiaulou-starts-his-assistant-professorship monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1609786067182-6EJQZSFBDENANA2115O1/shialou.jpg News - Shiaulou Starts his Assistant Professorship https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/kathryn-joins-the-lab monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608063684463-DV8AOG81DI0WCIF5IDN0/sunflower+2.jpg News - Kathryn joins the Lab! https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/syndi-nsf-grfp monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608063738842-O4SU154NEOTOR9EA6XWP/nsf-grfp-e1586978431534.jpg News - Syndi is Awarded NSF-GRFP https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/syndi-presents-pcgc-2017 monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1609789332924-341E0YMUPS4X83LBZ7AE/newlogo.png News - Syndi Presents Poster at Bench to Bassinet Conference 2017 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/syndi-joins-the-lab monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608063865843-VOH4O2K2XIP9ENKEV280/attachment-1_5.jpg News - Syndi joins the Lab! https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/New+Member monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Martina+Brueckner monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Nick monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Syndi monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Sveta monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Faith monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Roxanna monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/fellowship monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Conference monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Shiaulou monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Defense monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Kathryn monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Jake monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Ken monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Anea monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Liana monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Paper monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Isabella monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Alum monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/news/tag/Jessica monthly 0.5 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/resources daily 0.75 2021-01-04 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/currentmembers daily 0.75 2025-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608133600925-G391I6VH1M5A9HQY76VS/IMG_0123.jpg Current Members - Martina Brueckner, MD Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology) and Genetics Dr. Brueckner obtained her BS and MD degrees from the University of Virginia, followed by a Pediatric Residency at the University of Pittsburgh and a Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. Her clinical and research focus is the genetic cause and developmental mechanisms underlying CHD with a focus on the function of cilia in heart development and left-right patterning. The lab first discovered that a ciliary dynein was essential for establishing vertebrate LR asymmetry, then identified that both motile and immotile cilia at the conserved embryonic left-right organizer are required to create organismal LR asymmetry, identifying a novel paradigm for embryonic axis formation. The lab is now translating the understanding of the basic biology underlying LR development to a comprehensive understanding of human congenital heart disease through genomic analysis of the largest single cohort of CHD patients. This has identified the genetic cause of ~15% of CHD, and directly linked genes required for cilia function to human CHD Dr. Brueckner's clinical focus is on patients with genetic causes of congenital heart disease. She co-founded one of the first pediatric cardiac genetics clinics at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. The clinic provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and follow-up care for patients with genetic-cardiovascular disease. Dr. Brueckner has been a staff cardiologist since completing her fellowship at Yale in 1990. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/9ad63d79-f24e-4945-a92b-633608c545d6/Kenneth2.jpg Current Members - Kenneth Ng PhD Student Kenneth is a PhD student in the Brueckner lab and Lek lab. He completed his BSc in Life Sciences at the National University of Singapore. Transitioning from a mostly experimental background to computational genetics, he is passionate about leveraging large-scale sequencing cohorts and cutting-edge computational techniques to understand disease etiology. He is currently working on the Pediatrics Cardiac Genomics Consortium (PCGC), the largest collection of patients with congenital heart disease, to investigate the much-unknown genetic architecture of congenital heart disease. In his free time, he loves to participate in various sports and to travel, with the goal of visiting all the countries in the world one day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607717456936-LIXEDD60SHMPNDJYIKKZ/sveta.jpg Current Members - Svetlana Makova Lab Manager/Research Associate Svetlana earned her M.S. degree in the Chemistry of Biologically Active Compounds from Moscow State University of Fine Chemical Technology and her M.S. in Biochemistry from the Ohio State University. She joined the Brueckner lab as a research associate/lab manager in 1999. Svetlana is interested in the role of cilia in left-right patterning during embryogenesis. One of her favorite pastimes is staring at beating cilia in different systems: mouse LRO, brain, trachea, and oviducts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/52c31296-8f59-45e9-88d7-d6d5189a8fcc/IMG_7170.jpg Current Members - Anea Whitfield Post Bacc Fellow I recently graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. During my undergraduate career, my research involved understanding the underlying mechanism(s) regulating craniofacial bone growth and development. At the Brueckner lab I’ll be generating induced pluripotent stem cell lines that express congenital heart disease mutations and differentiating them into cardiomyocytes to investigate how these mutations are affecting heart tissue function. When I’m not in the lab I enjoy reading thriller novels, cooking, and listening to music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/a214b2c7-6039-44d5-a123-22f3dbdc57c9/IMG_2714.JPG Current Members - Aidan Marks Undergraduate Student Aidan is a third-year student in Davenport College at Yale University from Greenwich, CT. He is working with Anea Zimmerman to differentiate cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells that express congenital heart disease mutations at the Brueckner Lab. He hopes to one day go to medical school, and when he’s not in lab, he enjoys cooking, hanging out with friends, and rowing for the Lightweight Crew team here on campus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/92285e7b-527f-4318-a5d5-9d315c5e728c/Anna_Ponek.JPG Current Members - Anna Ponek PhD Student Anna is a PhD student currently interested in studying left-right patterning in heart development. She previously earned her BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. She has worked in the laboratories of Dr. Andrew Landstrom and Dr. William Pu, studying arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and CPVT. In her free time, she finds joy in knitting, crafting, and teaching her cat Paddington tricks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/4de95283-33e0-4392-b60a-cd22323ebc96/IMG_20210520_145954_2.jpg Current Members - Roxanna Altus PhD Student Roxanna is a PhD student in the Genetics Department at Yale University. In 2021, she earned her B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Boston University. As an undergraduate, she worked in Dr. Francisco Naya’s muscle biology laboratory investigating the impaired differentiation of muscle progenitor cells deficient in the Meg3 lncRNA. She is currently interested in questions of vertebrate embryonic patterning and development, and her work in the Brueckner lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms of symmetry breaking in the Left Right Organizer. Outside of the lab, she enjoys doing puzzles, trying out new recipes, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends from home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/7a43957b-be54-4cd0-98d4-f41b570434ce/SO+Website+Photo.jpg Current Members - Sam Obioma Undergraduate Student Samuel is a second-year undergraduate student at Yale University, originally hailing from Chicago, Illinois. At the Brueckner Lab, he is currently working alongside Roxanna Altus to elucidate MMP21 targeting and function in the symmetry breaking of the Left-Right Organizer. On campus, Samuel is involved with multiple student organizations such as Yale MedSci, Yale Scientific, and Yale Club Spikeball. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, visiting various museums, and playing cards with friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/4d9d40d6-bb4a-4e37-950c-12f6c765aac7/headshot.jpg Current Members - Chelsea Pappas Research Coordinator Chelsea is a genetic counselor and research coordinator with the Brueckner lab. She obtained her MS in Genetic Counseling from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2022. After graduation she worked in an adult cardiogenetics clinic in Boston until she relocated to CT, where she grew up, and joined the Brueckner lab in 2025. She currently works as a research coordinator within the Pediatric Cardiac Genomics Consortium (PCGC). Outside of work Chelsea enjoys the beach, reading, and spending time with family. She also has a passion for mentoring current and prospective genetic counseling students. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/home daily 1.0 2020-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608078230458-9BEUBQAT02ECFZHOXPWP/Option+1.jpg Home - Our Research Projects: Cilia in Left-Right Development Cilia in Cardiac Development Genomics of Congenital Heart Disease Epigenetics of Cilia and Cardiac Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608052926822-HE2ZDSAZO7D0ZJCW6559/Kathryn.jpg Home - Interested in our research? We have openings! We are currently looking for a new post-doc and PhD student. There are openings on all of our projects, and huge flexibility for innovation in these fascinating fields. Join us! https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/contact daily 0.75 2020-12-22 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/previous-lab-members daily 0.75 2025-08-15 https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/genomics daily 0.75 2020-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608078556872-3E6VW3OYTACON9WKPOBW/genomi.jpg Genomics of Congenital Heart Disease https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/fun daily 0.75 2024-07-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607898244844-9FL31FE1TYU0VL47RGBD/best%2Bcookies.jpg Fun Annual Holiday cookie bake-off 2019 ft. good boy Bodie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897948101-241U5ICX3SVTXNC6Q6I8/131212770_222593382601310_5606679875761362842_n.jpg Fun "You gonna eat all those?" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897947066-3NX1PBREOUOLQIL2KBHB/131206514_1476158362583003_2987049760644508222_n.jpg Fun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897823084-1NRU4T475TM5NXTPY5T9/IMG_0452.JPEG Fun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897946802-OBZX3QUMYLGRADLV7LSR/131038088_660230404671877_7706391700304719595_n.jpg Fun Peach picking at Lyman Orchards https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897823872-0EH4AWH54A5DEDLYR4W7/IMG_0454.JPEG Fun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608133719010-GFJ117313AK1VGDZ2OH6/IMG_1063.JPG Fun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607975460815-0V17SWYGTY7VHBIH941F/sveta+fun.gif Fun Lab lunch in Worcester https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608067492731-5K77VR31523QCW8A46Y5/jeff+and+daniella.jpg Fun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897949037-WYK9RRFK4DTQRBBMI7F6/131073780_999483510561651_8210044862974496161_n.jpg Fun Happy socially distanced birthday, Syndi! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897947224-WZLR7EW1GFRDWLMWR4YQ/131027600_137950474553244_5124819300004169259_n.jpg Fun Happy birthday, Tina! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607900188554-127X016C2T9QAE9D49SC/quals.jpg Fun Kathryn passed her quals! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897947226-0Z15VC92XL1JIGG3TRTN/131047391_2710185575913920_2780492741664196991_n.jpg Fun alles Gute zum Geburtstag Emmanuel! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607900617591-2KCQP5F9J0TMLH6EE6IJ/20181214_114652.jpg Fun Ski trip! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608067492775-6UQL0UEIIVQUQHBG6DV4/syndi.jpg Fun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608134338628-RRCTYRP7LCV7VB94QGD8/131890754_211113700573386_2847377503788299910_n.jpg Fun Happy Halloween Jeff and Jeff 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607897946963-BW3SCFYI2VDJ59IN0CNP/131074763_480120326359872_7104056250008494102_n.jpg Fun Cell culture party https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608134338955-CRUNH95EEJINO25V9TLK/131894279_401027624658555_2515463446584906099_n.jpg Fun The Meme Wall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1608154823025-60RB986YYC3J6Y443H4W/131893993_660371937975995_6817667955832445651_n.jpg Fun Happy birthday, Sveta! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/17b33f7e-2650-4ef8-a497-9f7ebac19534/kayaking.jpg Fun Sunset kayaking trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/782b8d3c-5e37-4500-b903-b8bbac2f9d8c/240514579_562314078441400_3825926936075745847_n.jpg Fun Cheers to Kathryn's Birthday! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1dc17cf5-cae1-4dfb-a5ab-b061d1ba701c/20210915_131532.jpg Fun A great day for pear picking! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/f95f84db-0754-4086-8f8c-190a730f01bf/20210915_130358.jpg Fun A great day for pear picking! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/28b8d1a1-22dc-494d-a208-3a8a5db83772/20210915_131537.jpg Fun A great day for pear picking! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/e6150a5c-b86f-41af-adaa-d089a5198119/IMG_0976.jpeg Fun Kathryn gets married! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/4fe4302d-e7f9-4270-9ddd-4edcd058694e/20211025_154003.jpg Fun Tea time with the Sun lab! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/c45cf56a-cad8-44c4-971a-669277fe6476/20211025_154030.jpg Fun Tea time with the Sun lab! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/f2eb73d7-e59d-4a87-880f-26888e09e60a/syndi+defense+2.jpg Fun Congrats Dr. Barish! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/da4867b4-9756-4330-9d80-60e28f80f14b/syndi+defense.jpg Fun Congrats Dr. Barish! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/c74226c8-a6d3-4dbd-95bc-ac89b63d0896/20211106_130255.jpg Fun Congrats Dr. Barish! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/263c8811-5b90-46f2-874c-83a4367c5360/20211106_130244.jpg Fun Congrats Dr. Barish! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/9c73f06a-91bd-4458-8baa-40631b8340c9/20211106_150512.jpg Fun Congrats Dr. Barish! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/b43889e4-870c-464d-900c-c9a4e484e70d/20211123_123549.jpg Fun Happy birthday Syndi! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/377750c4-80d5-47ec-bb76-716414cd79e8/343624202_949739429501459_7515678962594734283_n.jpg Fun Happy birthday Kathryn! Chia-Ling made a wonderful cake! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/324d0ae0-3596-4ccd-941b-b2aa4d2d2f86/342051094_601769008557942_2145741414449992896_n.jpg Fun Happy birthday Zhaoxia! Another Chia-Ling special! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/a1d4fda2-6ee7-405f-955b-a86982249568/343624471_6182149315184961_8474584178649646971_n.jpg Fun Happy holidays! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/96561327-d645-4c54-b57b-8a5f32676e21/343592188_1231382187502325_8691945311036978523_n.jpg Fun Happy birthday Tina! Chia-Ling yet again making a perfect cake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/56b2dea8-f101-459a-af87-ce52a53f7381/341977428_1605977693233442_4712737313015974635_n.jpg Fun International Potluck! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/2de8acd9-7841-4b8a-a394-7c3ea8c2fe3c/WhatsApp+Image+2024-07-30+at+10.38.08_bc90375a.jpg Fun Pickleball outing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/9171b299-4b37-498d-a7df-d7332fbe5704/processed-D523D93F-2324-45E6-88D3-E235C17893B4.jpeg Fun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/4cf8e11a-e68a-4990-9225-f6af02e75989/processed-B70C9EC1-5141-4FED-AEE4-8B3D59BF310F.jpeg Fun Tina's mentorship extends to ice skating (and eating Mexican food afterwards!) https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/ciliaheart daily 0.75 2020-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607983641291-Y9I52U0KULNVH24ZWV0U/slough.jpg Cilia in The Heart H&E cross-sections of E9.5 mice of various mutant cilia and ciliary signaling backgrounds. Slough et al. (2008). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607976183751-8F2VE212B1NTZ2END9CK/heart+not+flipped.gif Cilia in The Heart A lightsheet 3D reconstruction of an E9.5 mouse heart. https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/leftright daily 0.75 2021-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607973754989-QIXHFGRRIT18AO946IOM/NIHMS661880-supplement-3.gif Cilia in Left-Right Development Discovery of intraciliary calcium oscillations in the zebrafish node. Yuan et al. (2016). https://bruecknerlab.squarespace.com/epigenetics daily 0.75 2020-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fce984e4372de4814166542/1607990786711-XGPF0TG7YCIQKUG71PI7/rnf20+cilia.gif Epigenetics in Cilia and Cardiac Development CRISPR depletion of RNF20 hinders cilia motility and fluid flow, as indicated by tracking fluorescent beads. Robson et al. (2019).