University Diploma (equiv. to MSc) in Zoology and Molecular Biology, Univ. of Zürich, Switzerland. Dr. phil. II (equiv. to Ph.D.) in Zoology, Univ. of Zürich, Switzerland
Personal Chair
- About
-
- Email Address
- s.p.hoppler@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 437383
- Office Address
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
Institute of Medical Sciences (6.22)
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition
Foresterhill Health Campus
ABERDEEN, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
Born and brought up in Winterthur, Switzerland. Undergraduate studies in Zoology and Molecular Biology at the University of Zürich, Switzerland. Postgraduate studies in Zürich and at the M.R.C. Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK with Dr. Mariann Bienz on the function of homeotic genes and wingless signalling in Drosophila midgut development.
Postdoc with Prof. Randall Moon at the University of Washington in Seattle, U.S.A. studying Wnt signalling in early amphibian development (Publications). Postdoct. Research Assistant with Dr. Enrique Amaya, Univ. of Cambridge, U.K.. Principal Investigator at Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee.
With the University of Aberdeen since summer 2003. Promotion to Reader (~Associate Professor) in 2006. Promotion to full Professor in 2012.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Internal Memberships
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Aberdeen Developmental Biology Group
Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre
- External Memberships
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Genetics Society (committee member since 2017), Scientific Meetings Secretary (from 2021)
British Society for Developmental Biology (Committee Member 2005-2010, and Meeting Organiser 2005 and 2011)
Society for Developmental Biology (North America)
International Society for Developmental Biologists
International Society of Differentiation
Biochemical Society (UK)
Anatomical Society of Great Britain and IrelandPanel Member UKRI-BBSRC Collaborative Training Collaborative Training Partnerships (CTP2) Programme Assessment Panel (2021)
BBSRC Committee C, appointed core member 2016 - 2020Editorial Board of Genes (MDPI publishers) (from 2020)
Editorial Board of the journal Developmental Dynamics (2009 - 2015)
Editorial Board of the journal Hereditas (since 2015)
Latest Publications
A mathematical modelling portrait of Wnt signalling in early vertebrate embryogenesis
Journal of Theoretical Biology, vol. 551-552, 111239Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPositive feedback regulation of fzd7 expression robustly shapes a steep Wnt gradient in Xenopus heart development, together with sFRP1 and heparan sulfate
eLife, vol. 11, 73818Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEvolutionary diversification of the canonical Wnt signaling effector TCF/LEF in chordates
Development, Growth and Differentiation, vol. 64, no. 3, pp. 120-137Contributions to Journals: ArticlesFoxh1/Nodal Defines Context-Specific Direct Maternal Wnt/β-Catenin Target Gene Regulation in Early Development
iScience, vol. 23, no. 7, 101314Contributions to Journals: ArticlesXenopus: Experimental Access to Cardiovascular Development, Regeneration Discovery, and Cardiovascular Heart-Defect Modeling
Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology, vol. 12, no. 6, a037200Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a037200
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Prizes and Awards
· Royal Society/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowship, 2020.
· William Evans Visiting Fellowship, University of Otago, New Zealand (2011)
· Royal Society of Edinburgh, International Exchange Fellowship (2011)
· Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship (1997)
· EMBO Fellowship Award (1994)
· Max Perutz Prize for Graduate Studies (1993)
- Research
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Research Overview
The tissues and organs of developing embryos are organised by cell-to-cell signalling. These interactions are mediated by a relatively small number of signalling molecules. These signals are repeatedly used at different stages of development and in different tissues of the embryo. Wnts are one important class of such signalling molecules. They are secreted glycoproteins which function as cell-to-cell signals in develomental processes in all multicellular animals examined. Abnormally activated Wnt signalling is also involved in certain types of tumours such as breast and colon cancer.
We want to understand the normal role of Wnt signalling in patterning the developing vertebrate embryo. Where and when are Wnts used during embryogenesis and what is their function in different organs and at different stages? We have recently analysed the molecular mechanisms of tissue-specific Wnt signalling and are currently studying Wnt function in heart and brain development. We use Xenopus as our model system and apply modern techniques, such as transgenesis and antisense oligos. We also using human Embryonic Stem Cells to model the functional role of Wnt signalling in heart muscle differentiation.
Funding and Grants
Current Grant Funding:
British Heart Foundation non-clinical studentship “Wnt Signalling Response to Myocardial Infarction”, £123,883, Aug 2020 – July 2023
BBSRC Project Grant “Diversification of Vertebrate Tcf Structure and Function”, £503,452, July 2020 – July 2023
British Heart Foundation Project Grant, Applicants: Adam Lynch and S. Hoppler, “Characterisation of a Novel Selectable Cell-Surface Regulator of Cardiovascular Progenitors for Stem Cell-Mediated Regeneration”, £196,608 Oct 2019 – Dec 2021
British Heart Foundation Programme Grant, Applicant: S. Hoppler (7.4hrs/week), "How does Wnt control gene-regulatory networks to coordinate cardiomyocyte differentiation", £1,006,869, Principal Investigator, Aug. 2018 – Jul. 2023
- Publications
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Page 1 of 1 Results 1 to 43 of 43
A mathematical modelling portrait of Wnt signalling in early vertebrate embryogenesis
Journal of Theoretical Biology, vol. 551-552, 111239Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPositive feedback regulation of fzd7 expression robustly shapes a steep Wnt gradient in Xenopus heart development, together with sFRP1 and heparan sulfate
eLife, vol. 11, 73818Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEvolutionary diversification of the canonical Wnt signaling effector TCF/LEF in chordates
Development, Growth and Differentiation, vol. 64, no. 3, pp. 120-137Contributions to Journals: ArticlesFoxh1/Nodal Defines Context-Specific Direct Maternal Wnt/β-Catenin Target Gene Regulation in Early Development
iScience, vol. 23, no. 7, 101314Contributions to Journals: ArticlesXenopus: Experimental Access to Cardiovascular Development, Regeneration Discovery, and Cardiovascular Heart-Defect Modeling
Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology, vol. 12, no. 6, a037200Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a037200
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Diverse LEF/TCF Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Correlates with Altered Wnt-Regulated Transcriptome in a Meta-Analysis of Patient Biopsies
Genes, vol. 11, no. 5, 538Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCardiomyocyte Differentiation from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Experimental Models of Cardiovascular Disease: Methods and Protocols. Ishikawa, K. (ed.). Springer, pp. 55-66, 12 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8597-5_4
Genome-wide transcriptomics analysis of genes regulated by GATA4, 5 and 6 during cardiomyogenesis in Xenopus laevis
Data in brief, vol. 17, pp. 559-563Contributions to Journals: ArticlesGenome-wide transcriptomics analysis identifies sox7 and sox18 as specifically regulated by gata4 in cardiomyogenesis
Developmental Biology, vol. 434, no. 1, pp. 108-120Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCardiomyocyte Differentiation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Experimental Models of Cardiovascular Diseases. Ishikawa, K. (ed.). Springer, pp. 67-78, 12 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8597-5_5
Genome-wide analysis of canonical Wnt target gene regulation in Xenopus tropicalis challenges β-catenin paradigm
Genesis, vol. 55, no. 1-2, e22991Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dvg.22991
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/8095/1/Nakamura_et_al_2017_genesis.pdf
Distinctive Roles of Canonical and Noncanonical Wnt Signaling in Human Embryonic Cardiomyocyte Development
Stem Cell Reports, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 764-776Contributions to Journals: ArticlesWNT and BMP regulate roadblocks toward cardiomyocyte differentiation: lessons learned from embryos inform human stem cell differentiation
Stem Cell Investigation, vol. 3, pp. 1-5Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.21037/sci.2016.07.03
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/8576/1/sci_03_33.pdf
Tissue- and stage-specific Wnt target gene expression is controlled subsequent to β-catenin recruitment to cis-regulatory modules
Development, vol. 143, no. 11, pp. 1914-1925Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.131664
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/6132/1/1914.full.pdf
Wnt signaling in the heart fields: Variations on a common theme
Developmental Dynamics, vol. 245, no. 3, pp. 294-306Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.24372
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/8260/3/Ruiz_Villalba_2015_resub2_Main_manuscript.doc
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/8260/2/Ruiz_Villalba_2015_Figure_1.tif
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/8260/5/Ruiz_Villalba_2015_Figure_2.tif
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/8260/4/Ruiz_Villalba_2015_Figure_3.tif
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/8260/1/Ruiz_Villalba_2015_Figure_4.tif
It's about time for neural crest
Science, vol. 348, no. 6241, pp. 1316-1317Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDifferent requirements for GATA factors in cardiogenesis are mediated by non-canonical Wnt signaling
The Genetics Society of America Conference, pp. 69Contributions to Journals: AbstractsWnt Signaling in Early Vertebrate Development: From Fertilization to Gastrulation
Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Biological Functions. Hoppler, S. P., Moon, R. T. (eds.). Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 253-266, 13 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118444122.ch19
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Evolutionary Diversification of Vertebrate TCF/LEF Structure, Function, and Regulation
Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Biological Functions. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 225-237, 13 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118444122.ch17
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Biological Functions
Wiley-Blackwell. 459 pagesBooks and Reports: Books- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118444122
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Wnt Signaling in Heart Organogenesis
Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Biological Functions. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., pp. 293-301, 9 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118444122.ch22
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
sfrp1 promotes cardiomyocyte differentiation in Xenopus via negative-feedback regulation of Wnt signalling
Development, vol. 140, no. 7, pp. 1537-1549Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.088047
The Wnt signaling mediator tcf1 is required for expression of foxd3 during Xenopus gastrulation
International Journal of Developmental Biology, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 49-54Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120191kv
Different requirements for GATA factors in cardiogenesis are mediated by non-canonical Wnt signaling
Developmental Dynamics, vol. 240, no. 3, pp. 649-662Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.22570
Cardiac MHCα expression in Xenopus
Development, vol. 137, pp. 3-4Contributions to Journals: Comments and Debates- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.046334
Crosstalk between Wnt and bone morphogenic protein signaling: A turbulent relationship
Developmental Dynamics, vol. 239, no. 1, pp. 16-33Contributions to Journals: Literature Reviews- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.22009
Role of an aquaporin in the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus: assessment as a potential control target
International Journal for Parasitology, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 15-23Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.06.010
Wnt/β-catenin signalling regulates cardiomyogenesis via GATA transcription factors
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 216, no. 1, pp. 92-107Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01171.x
Xenopus explants as an experimental model system for studying heart development
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol. 19, no. 7, pp. 220-226Contributions to Journals: Literature Reviews- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcm.2010.01.001
13-P107 GATA transcription factors integrate Wnt signaling during heart development
Mechanisms of Development, vol. 126, no. Supplement, pp. S227Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mod.2009.06.580
Identification, functional characterization and expression patterns of a water-specific aquaporin in the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 105-112Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2008.10.006
Inducible Gene Expression in Transient Transgenic Xenopus Embryos
Wnt Signaling: Volume 2, Pathway Models. Humana Press, pp. 431-449, 19 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-249_27
Wnt6 signaling regulates heart muscle development during organogenesis
Developmental Biology, vol. 323, no. 2, pp. 177-188Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.08.032
Invertebrate aquaporins: a review
Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology, vol. 178, no. 8, pp. 935-955Contributions to Journals: Literature Reviews- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-008-0288-2
Analysis of Gene Expression in Xenopus Embryos
Wnt Signaling: Volume 2, Pathway Models. Vincan, E. (ed.). Humana Press, pp. 335-361, 27 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-469-2_22
Gain-of-Function and Loss-of-Function Strategies in Xenopus
Wnt Signaling: Volume 2, Pathway Models. Vincan, E. (ed.). Humana Press, pp. 401-415, 15 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-469-25
Studying Wnt Signaling in Xenopus
Wnt Signaling: Volume 2, Pathway Models. Vincan, E. (ed.). Humana Press, pp. 319-331, 13 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-469-2_21
GATA transcription factors integrate Wnt signalling during heart development
Development, vol. 135, no. 19, pp. 3185-3190Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.026443
Prediction and characterisation of a highly conserved, remote and cAMP responsive enhancer that regulates Msx1 gene expression in cardiac neural crest and outflow tract
Developmental Biology, vol. 317, no. 2, pp. 686-694Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.02.016
Wnt6 expression in epidermis and epithelial tissues during Xenopus organogenesis
Developmental Dynamics, vol. 237, no. 3, pp. 768-779Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.21440
Distinct roles for Xenopus Tcf/Lef genes in mediating specific responses to Wnt/ß-catenin signalling in mesoderm development
Development, vol. 132, pp. 5375-5385Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.02152
Lef-1 and Tcf-3 transcription factors mediate tissue-specific Wnt signaling during Xenopus development
Current Biology, vol. 12, no. 22, pp. 1941-1945Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9822(02)01280-0
Difference in XTcf-3 dependency accounts for change in response to ß-catenin-mediated Wnt signalling in Xenopus blastula
Development, vol. 128, pp. 2063-2073Contributions to Journals: Articles