New mechanisms regulating the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are small packages that contain active components derived from the cell of origin. These vesicles, released by most cell types, are critical for communication between cells. However, the processes of their formation and release remain poorly understood. This project aims to explore how ubiquitination, a type of protein modification system, controls the production of extracellular vesicles. Using a strong c ....New mechanisms regulating the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are small packages that contain active components derived from the cell of origin. These vesicles, released by most cell types, are critical for communication between cells. However, the processes of their formation and release remain poorly understood. This project aims to explore how ubiquitination, a type of protein modification system, controls the production of extracellular vesicles. Using a strong collaborative team and highly innovative approaches, the project will generate new knowledge to inform how cells communicate. Expected outcomes include knowledge of broad significance to cell biology, that can be leveraged to develop extracellular vesicles as tools for various biotechnology applications in the future.Read moreRead less
Defining how cells relay mechanical signals to changes in cell architecture. Mechanical signals play crucial roles in shaping organs and entire organisms during development, though how these signals are relayed to changes in cell architecture is a major unanswered question. Within vascular networks, mechanical signals including fluid flow, tension and stretch play key roles in vessel patterning, identity and maturation. This application aims to employ cutting-edge technologies to determine how t ....Defining how cells relay mechanical signals to changes in cell architecture. Mechanical signals play crucial roles in shaping organs and entire organisms during development, though how these signals are relayed to changes in cell architecture is a major unanswered question. Within vascular networks, mechanical signals including fluid flow, tension and stretch play key roles in vessel patterning, identity and maturation. This application aims to employ cutting-edge technologies to determine how the atypical cadherin FAT4 relays mechanical signals including flow and tension to the lymphatic endothelial cell skeleton, thereby enabling changes in cell shape important for building lymphatic vessels. This project will increase our understanding of how cells sense touch and may be applied for tissue engineering purposes.
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Understanding the mechanisms that inhibit and promote biofilm expansion. Yeasts have been used for biotechnology throughout recorded history. They are important human pathogens, and major experimental models of eukaryotic cells. Although yeasts are some of the most studied organisms in biology, their modes of colony biofilm formation are not fully understood. Methods to investigate the environmental and genetic processes that drive colony biofilm formation will be developed in this proposed pro .... Understanding the mechanisms that inhibit and promote biofilm expansion. Yeasts have been used for biotechnology throughout recorded history. They are important human pathogens, and major experimental models of eukaryotic cells. Although yeasts are some of the most studied organisms in biology, their modes of colony biofilm formation are not fully understood. Methods to investigate the environmental and genetic processes that drive colony biofilm formation will be developed in this proposed project. They will provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that inhibit and promote biofilm formation, and colonial morphology in the different modes of growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with implications for this and other biofilm-forming yeasts of biotechnological or medical importance.Read moreRead less