Research Interests

My laboratory studies the development and evolution of neural structures. Our goals are to elucidate the developmental genetic programs underlying auditory organ, olfactory organ and brain formation and to understand how they change during evolution to result in novel morphologies and functions. Our current efforts are focused on the genetic and biochemical interactions of the homeodomain transcription factors encoded by the Drosophila Distal-less (Dll), homothorax (hth), extradenticle (exd) and cut (ct) genes. We are using genetic, molecular (including gene expression array) and biochemical (including chromatin immunoprecipitation) approaches in the genetically tractable model organism, Drosophila melanogaster (fruitfly), to identify and investigate gene networks.

Education and Training:

B.A., Swarthmore College, 1984

Ph.D., UW-Madison, 1991

Postdoctoral training, HHMI/UW-Madison, 1991-1996

Ph.D Program and Training Grant Participation:

Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biosciences Training Grant, Neuroscience Training Program, Pathology

Recent Publications:

Ebacher, D.J.S., S.V. Todi, D.F. Eberl and G. Boekhoff-Falk (2007). cut mutant Drosophila auditory organs differentiate abnormally and degenerate. Fly 1:86-94. [Link]

Zhao, G., Boekhoff-Falk, G., Wilson, B.A. and J. B. Skeath (2007). Linking pattern formation to cell-type specification: Dichaete and Ind directly repress achaete gene expression in the Drosophila CNS. PNAS 104:3847-3852. [Link]

Eberl, D.F. and G. Boekhoff-Falk (2007). Development of the Drosophila Johnston's organ. International Journal of Developmental Biology 51:679-687. [Link]

Bolinger, R.A. and G. Boekhoff-Falk (2005). Distal-less functions in subdividing the Drosophila thoracic limb primordium. Developmental Dynamics 232:801-816. [Link]

Boekhoff-Falk, G. (2005). Hearing in Drosophila: Development of Johnston's organ and emerging parallels to vertebrate ear development. Developmental Dynamics, 232:550-558. [Link]

Dong, P.D.S., S.V. Todi, D.F. Eberl and G. Boekhoff-Falk (2003). Drosophila spalt/spalt-related mutants exhibit Townes-Brocks' syndrome phenotypes. PNAS 100:10293-10298. [Link]

Dong, P.D.S., J.S. Dicks and G. Panganiban (2002). Distal-less and Homothorax regulate multiple targets to pattern the Drosophila antenna. Development 129: 1967-1974. [Link]

Panganiban, G. and J.L.R. Rubenstein (2002). Developmental functions of the Distal-less (Dlx) homeobox genes. Development, 129: 4371-4386. [Link]