Blood development involves the generation of definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with long-term reconstitution ability. In mice, definitive hematopoiesis takes place from embryonic stage E9.5 to E11.5. in the hemogenic endothelium of the dorsal aorta. Previous studies from the lab have found that upon perturbing the cytoskeletal reorganization by Rudhira, affects endothelial cell migration and thereby angiogenesis. Rudhira KO mice die at mid-gestation with cardiovascular patterning defects. The dorsal aorta is also affected. The endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT) requires extensive cytoskeletal remodeling to change the shape of endothelial cells to rounded HSC that extravasate. We are studying the effect of perturbed cytoskeleton and cell signaling caused by loss of Rudhira, on HSC emergence.