Development & stems cells
Forces and signals in tissue morphogenesis
• How do epithelial cells coordinate cell shape changes with their neighbours?
• What are the mechanical forces involved in embryonic growth?
• How does an epithelial cell maintain distinct (apical and basal) membrane surfaces during growth?
• What are the links between the questions outlined above and pathological processes such as wound repair and cancer?
Our organs originate from small clusters of cells shaped as spheres or discs. Our general goal is to define how such clusters can upon deformation generate a long tube such as the intestine, a branched tube such as the kidney or the lung, or a simple flat layer such as the epidermis. To deform an object implies to exert some physical constraints; we are thus trying to identify the mechanical forces involved in shaping organs. In addition, since organs are larger that their primordium, deformations must also be combined with growth; we thus investigate the nature of the biochemical processes involved in such growth.
To address those general issues, we are using the model C. elegans, a simple and powerful model system. We combine molecular genetic analysis (RNAi, genetic screens, biochemistry), modern imaging techniques (fast confocal microscopy, correlative light and electron microscopy), as well as concepts of physics.
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Current projects
Research interests
1- How do epithelial cells coordinate cell shape changes with their neighbours? Imagine an epithelial cell undergoing cell shape changes, and yet remaining tightly linked to other cells with different properties or rates of shape changes. The morphogenetic process can be successful only if the different cells coordinate their changes. The mechanisms ensuring coordination are largely unknown.
2- What are the mechanical forces involved in embryonic growth? An embryo or an organ gets deformed under the influence of active forces – which transform chemical energy into mechanical energy – and passive forces – which resist the pervious ones. We are trying to identify each of them and to understand which cellular process they impact on.
3- How does an epithelial cell maintain distinct (apical and basal) membrane surfaces during growth? Membrane trafficking is more complex in epithelia as they are polarized and use different machineries to deliver specific proteins to the basolateral or apical surface. We are specifically interested in characterizing the trafficking pathways to the apical surface that contribute to form the lumen of tubes and the external surface of sheets. -
Collaborations
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Prizes/Awards
- Michel LABOUESSE - Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) - European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) - 2012
- Michel LABOUESSE - ERC Advanced grant - European Research Council (ERC) - 2011
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News
- Jan. 24, 2012 - IGBMC, an institute of excellence awarded by the European research council (ERC)
- March 3, 2011 - The yin and the yang of mechanical forces in shaping embryos
- Feb. 24, 2010 - C. elegans, a small worm to study healing process
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Publications
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A tension-induced mechanotransduction pathway promotes epithelial morphogenesis
Nature March 3, 2011 ; 471:99-103 .
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Forces and tension in development. Preface
Curr Top Dev Biol 2011 ; 95:xi-xvi .
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Making sense of glycosphingolipids in epithelial polarity.
Nat Cell Biol Sept. 18, 2011 ; 13:1185-7 .
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MIG-15 and ERM-1 promote growth cone directional migration in parallel to UNC-116 and WVE-1
Development Oct 2011 ; 138:4475-85 .
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Dev Biol Feb. 15, 2011 ; 350:267-78 .
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VAB-10 spectraplakin acts in cell and nuclear migration in Caenorhabditis elegans
Development Sep 2011 ; 138:4013-23 .
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"OpenLAB": A 2-hour PCR-based practical for high school students.
Biochem Mol Biol Educ Sep 2010 ; 38:296-302 .
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Biol Cell Feb 2010 ; 102:121-32 .
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Curr Biol Feb. 23, 2010 ; 20:322-327 .
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The making of hemidesmosome structures in vivo
Dev Dyn May 2010 ; 239:1465-76 .
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Job opportunities
