Assistant Professor (214) 828-8163 Room: 437 jmbiene@bcd.tamhsc.edu Embryonic Development of the Taste System in Vertebrates

:: Research / Professional Interests

Research in my laboratory is directed towards understanding the developmental events involved in the generation and patterning of the taste system of vertebrates during embryogenesis at molecular and cellular levels.

By carefully studying the events associated with the development of taste receptors we hope to gain insight into how peripheral targets of sensory systems develop in general and, ultimately uncover basic principles governing the development of the vertebrate head.

Our focus so far has centered on several questions related to embryonic development of taste buds and their innervation: 1) How does the innervation of taste buds develop? 2 What early developmental events determine the formation of gustatory papillae? 3) When and how are taste buds patterned? 4) What are the molecular and cellular events which result in the induction of taste buds?

To answer these questions we use primarily rodent embryos. We use organ culture, immunofluorescence microscopy, in situ hybridization, laser confocal microscopy to study the development of taste buds in rodents. We have shown that gustatory papillae development is independent of contact by ingrowing nerves.

Moreover, we have demonstrated that, contrary to the prevailing model, taste bud initiation is also independent of nerve contact. Most recently, we found that the lingual embryonic epithelium gives rise to taste buds that are likely patterned early, prior to the onset of tongue morphogenesis.

We have now begun to use molecular approaches to explore the genes involved in setting up the pattern and development of taste buds in rodents. By combining cellular and genetic approaches, we hope to enhance the knowledge of the morphogenetic mechanisms deployed in the pharyngeal endoderm.

:: Education

Université de Montpellier II, France
Ph.D. (1989) in Neurosciences
Université de Marseille III, France
Doctorat (1985)  in Neurosciences
Université de Marseille III, France
M.S. (1981)  in Neurophysiology Physiology
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
M.S. (1976) in Neurophysiology Physiology
Université de Yaounde, Cameroon, Africa
B.S. (1975) in Sciences Naturelles

:: Career History

:: Teaching Responsibilities

General Histology, Neurosciences (Dental undergraduate) Prenatal Craniofacial Development, Head and Neck Anatomy, Cell and Molecular Biology of Oral and Craniofacial Tissues (Graduate)

:: Recent Grants

• Differentiation of taste buds in a in vitro mammalian model. NIH-NICDC RO3 DC03503, 1997-2000.
• The effects of nicotine on the embryonic development of the taste receptors. Texas Tobacco Endowment Fund Award, 2000-2002.

:: Recent Publications

1. Mbiene, J. -P., and Farbman, A. I. 1993 Evidence for stimulus access to taste cells and nerves during development: An electron microscopic study. Journal of Electron Microscopic Techniques, 26: 94-105
2. Mbiene, J. -P., MacCallum, D. K., and Mistretta, C. M. 1997 Organ cultures of embryonic rat tongue support tongue and gustatory papilla morphogenesis in vitro without intact sensory ganglia. J. Comp. Neurol. 377:324-340.
3. Mbiene, J. -P., and Mistretta, C. M. 1998 Initial innervation of embryonic rat tongue and developing taste papillae: nerves follow precise and spatially restricted pathways. Acta Anat. 160: 139-158. Liebl, D. J.,
4. Mbiene, J. –P., and Parada, L. F. 1999 NT4/5 Mutant mice have deficiency in gustatory papillae and taste bud formation. Dev. Biol. 213: 378-389.
5. Mbiene, J. -P and Roberts, J. 2002 Distribution of keratin 8-containing cell clusters in mouse embryonic tongue: evidence for a prepattern for fungiform taste bud development. J. Comp. Neurol. In press.