Cells in the embryo (and in fact cells within any multicellular organism) are surrounded by a heterogeneous mixture of macromolecules, called the extracellular matrix. This matrix is synthesised and organised by the cells, providing them with a substrate to interact with, and spaces to migrate through. Apart from this structural role, the extracellular matrix can also directly influence cell behaviour. It serves as a reservoir for growth factors that in turn influence cell behaviour and it also binds to specific extracellular matrix receptors on the cell surface, thus directly affecting processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, cytoskeletal remodelling and migration. Our group focuses on the role of cell-extracellular matrix interactions during embryogenesis of mouse and chick using two different model systems:

Skeletal muscle development
Skeletal muscle progenitor cells are one of the derivatives of the epithelial somites. We are studying the role of the extracellular matrix in the process of early muscle cell specification, migration and morphogenesis. Cells interact with their surrounding extracellular matrix via specific cell surface receptors, the best studied belonging to the integrin family of cell surface glycoproteins. Thus, we are interested in how integrin occupation and signalling contributes towards the differentiation and morphogenesis of early skeletal muscle in the embryo.

Addresses::

back