Welcome to the Foltz Lab at UCSB

Our lab investigates the molecular basis of gamete recognition, how sperm and egg interact and fuse, and how this interaction results in launching the developmental program. We've uncovered a rich tapestry of signaling pathways - some of which are similar to those used by mammalian immune recognition cells - that appear to coordinate egg activation. We use single cell molecular and imaging techniques, high throughput proteomics platforms and network analyses, and cell biological approaches across several marine invertebrate model systems in order to address this complex, exciting biology.

Areas of Research