"Biomechanical Regulation of Morphogenesis and Tissue Maintenance by Cell-Matrix Adhesion"

Animal morphogenesis requires force-generating mechanisms to drive the organization of cells into complex three-dimensional structures. At the completion of development dynamic morphogenetic events cease and tissues are stabilized, becoming resistant to the growing strain placed upon them as the organism grows in size. My lab is interested in understanding the role played by cell adhesion to the ExtraCellular Matrix (ECM) during morphogenesis and tissue maintenance. The focus of our research is on integrins, the principal family of adhesion receptors that mediate Cell adhesion to the ECM. Our recent work has illustrated that integrins act as mechanosensors that allow cells to detect and respond to mechanical force. Moreover, we have shown that during morphogenesis integrin provide rheostatic control over force transmission and distribution within developing tissues to promote specific outcomes. Using the tools of genetics, mathematical modelling, biomechanics, and quantitative image analysis of live and fixed embryos we are elucidating the mechanisms by which integrins act as master regulators of morphogenesis and tissue maintenance.