Charles B. Kimmel

Biosketch

Charles Kimmel is a biologist recognized for his work on development and evolution of zebrafish and other teleosts. He is known particularly for his studies on early zebrafish development, in which he examined the cell lineage and fate map of the early embryo, and cell rearrangements during gastrulation. Following the work of the late George Streisinger, he helped in finding and analyzing early developmental mutants and learning cellular aspects of their phenotypes. Other studies include analysis of segmental patterning in the zebrafish hindbrain and pharyngeal arches, and learning aspects of the cellular and genetic basis underlying the shaping cranial skeletal elements.

Research Interests

As an Emeritus Professor active in research, Charles Kimmel is currently pursuing projects in the University of Oregon laboratories of Bill Cresko (Institute of Evolution and Ecology) and Adam Miller (Institute of Neuroscience). In the Cresko lab, Kimmel focuses on morphogenesis of infra-orbital bones in threespine stickleback, and potential developmental interactions between these bones and sensory organs of the cranial lateral line system - neuromasts. The neuromasts overlay the bones in a specific pattern with features that are distinct from anatomy in even closely related stickleback species. Kimmel and colleagues are employing genome-wide association study (GWAS) to learn the basis of the morphology. In the Miller lab, Kimmel is working as part of a team to examine single cell RNA sequence data. He focuses on learn about skeletal cell type development and diversity in the pharyngeal arches.