Building on preliminary data showing that the gene efemp1 is dispensable for the first phase of spine mineralization—Rohda Yase will study the 2nd phase of skeletal development by determining the role of efemp1 in osteoblast recruitment. In her project, Yase will generate efemp1 zebrafish mutants with a transgenic reporter for osteoblasts to determine if osteoblasts are affected. By understanding the role of efemp1 in spine development, Yase aims to elucidate the role of fibulins in skeletal development and their influence on skeletal traits.