Cell and tissue dynamics driving gastrulation: Analysis using advanced live imaging computational data analysis and modelling
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: School of Life Sciences
Abstract
Gastrulation is one of the most critical events during the development of an embryo. It is characterised by large-scale tissue deformations and differential cell movements that result in the formation and positioning of the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm in the early embryo. These coordinated tissue deformations derive from the motility and contractility of individual cells interacting with their neighbours. They are highly controlled in space and time through chemical and mechanical cell-cell signalling mechanisms. The aim of this highly interdisciplinary PhD project is combine state-of-the-art molecular and cell biology with lightsheet microscopy based imaging, data analysis and sophisticated mathematical modelling to quantitatively analyse the cell behaviours that drive gastrulation in the chick embryo, a widely studied model system for human development. We will concentrate on elucidating the chemical and mechanical cell-cell signalling mechanisms that control these cell behaviours during gastrulation using systems biology approaches and large scale data analysis. Understanding the interplay between cell-cell signalling and collective cell behaviours iscritical for understanding all stages of embryonic development, the origins of common congenital defects, wound healing, regeneration and cancer metastasis and will guide tissue engineering and the rational use of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Kees Weijer (Primary Supervisor) | http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2192-8150 |
Publications
Chuai M
(2023)
Reconstruction of distinct vertebrate gastrulation modes via modulation of key cell behaviors in the chick embryo
in Science Advances
Serrano Nájera G
(2021)
TrendyGenes, a computational pipeline for the detection of literature trends in academia and drug discovery.
in Scientific reports
Serrano Nájera G
(2020)
Cellular processes driving gastrulation in the avian embryo
in Mechanisms of Development
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M010996/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1785593 | Studentship | BB/M010996/1 | 31/08/2016 | 04/03/2021 |
Description | We study gastrulation, a process where an epithelium is folded to create the main axis (head-tail) of a developing embryo. We discovered that for this process to occur, it is necessary to keep a tight balance in the number and the mobility of the cells and gain some insights its molecular regulation. The understanding this balance will have repercussions in developmental biology, the fast-growing field of mechanobiology and cancer. We also developed new computational methods to quantify cell behaviours and tissue deformations of interest for many other research groups. |
Exploitation Route | We do basic research in order to understand the fundamentals of tissue homeostasis and morphogenesis. A better undestanding of the mechanical regulation of epithelia could be helpful for other scientists, cancer and regenerative biology. |
Sectors | Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology Other |
Title | Computational methods to detect cell behaviours |
Description | Software to identify cell divisions, ingressions, density ... and visualization tools. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | To be able to accuratly quantify cell behaviours has notably improve our understanding of the gastrulation and opened new possibilities for new experiments. |
Title | Identification of trendy genes of pharmaceutical interest |
Description | This software allows the identification of new candidates for drug discovery based on artificial intelligence, along with present new ways to analyze the literature. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | It could potential speed up the drug-development process and help individual researches and funding agencies to digest big amounts of literature. |
Description | Roche Continents |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | During this event students from different european countries discuss about art and science. Postgraduate students from arts (opera singers, plastic arts, etc) and science students (robotics, chemistry, etc) are put together to learn about the others and desing ways to engage with the public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://roche-continents.com/home/about-roche-continents.html |