Fundamental Mechanisms
We are interested in the basic biological principles that enable a multicellular organism to develop and to evolve.
Patterning Mechanisms
During development cells must assume different fates in a position-dependent manner. Different reaction-diffusion mechanisms have been described that convey the positional information. However, open questions remain: How do patterning mechanisms scale on groing domains? How can boundaries be defined robustly? And how can these mechanisms be both robust, yet evolve?
3D epithelial organisation
Epithelial tissues play a key role in development and disease. We have recently uncovered the physical principle behind the complex 3D cell neighbour relationships in pseudostratified epithelia by combining light-sheet microscopy with theoretical work. Cell neighbour interactions are more numerous and dynamic than previously anticipated, with potentially profound implications for cell communication. external page Tweetorial
