The general research interest in our group is to unravel the molecular mechanisms that control cell polarity in different cell types. In this context we study epithelial morphogenesis and the regulation of asymmetric division of stem cells.
Cell polarity is a key feature of epithelia and stem cells. Morphogenesis of epithelial tissues requires cell polarity to allow cell shape changes driven by local activation of actomyosin contractility, for instance, apical constriction or junctional remodeling during convergent extension movements. Stem cells polarize prior to asymmetric cell division, resulting in daughter cells with different fates. We investigate the mechanisms controlling cell polarity and morphogenesis in the model organism Drosophila.
I am convinced that basic research in model organisms is extremely important to understand the normal function of our body. This in turn is crucial for understanding the cellular and molecular basis of diseases and what we can do to treat them.
Koehler, S., Odenthal, J., Ludwig, V., Unnersjö Jess, D., Höhne, M., Jüngst, C., Grawe, F., Helmstädter, M., Janku, J. L., Bergmann, C., Hoyer, P. F., Hagmann, H. H. H., Walz, G., Bloch, W., Niessen, C., Schermer, B., Wodarz, A., Denholm, B., Benzing, T., Iden, S., Brinkkoetter, P. T. (2022). Scaffold polarity proteins Par3A and Par3B share redundant functions while Par3B acts independent of atypical protein kinase C/Par6 in podocytes to maintain the kidney filtration barrier. Kidney Int Apr;101(4):733-751. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.11.030. Epub 2021 Dec 17. PMID: 34929254
Rust, K., Wodarz, A. (2021). Transcriptional control of apical-basal polarity regulators. Int J Mol Sci Nov 15;22(22):12340. doi: 10.3390/ijms222212340. PMID: 34830224
Tiwari, M. D., Zeitler, D. M., Meister, G. Wodarz, A. (2019). Molecular profiling of stem cell-like female germ line cells in Drosophila delineates networks important for stemness and differentiation. Biol Open 8, doi:10.1242/bio.046789. PMID: 31649115.
Rust, K., Tiwari, M., Mishra, V. K., Grawe, F., Wodarz, A. (2018). Myc and the Tip60 chromatin remodeling complex control neuroblast maintenance and polarity in Drosophila. EMBO J, 37, e98659. PMID: 29997178
Beati, H., Peek, I., Hordowska, P., Honemann-Capito, M., Glashauser, J., Renschler, F. A., Kakanj, P., Ramrath, A., Leptin, M., Luschnig, S., Wiesner, S., Wodarz, A. (2018). The adherens junction-associated LIM domain protein Smallish regulates epithelial morphogenesis. J Cell Biol 217, 1079-1095.