The goal of my laboratory is to understand at the molecular level how cell-cell junctions regulate morphogenesis, cell differentiation and proliferation in vertebrates.

The main focus of our studies is the structure and function of specific protein components of epithelial tight junctions and adherens junctions, using cultured cells and knockout mice as model systems.

We aim to clarify how these proteins interact with the cytoskeleton, with signaling molecules and with transcription factors to orchestrate changes in gene expression, proliferation, cell polarity and differentiation. Studies on mice help us to frame the significance of our discoveries within the context of a whole organism.

Please browse the Research and Publications pages for more details!