Max planck institute alumni

The Department of Developmental Genetics investigates questions related to organogenesis including cell differentiation, tissue morphogenesis, organ homeostasis and function, as well as organ regeneration. We study these questions in zebrafish as well as in mouse and are currently looking at several mesodermal heart, vasculature and endodermal lung organs.

We utilize both forward and reverse genetic approaches, and aim to dissect cellular processes using high-resolution live imaging. One goal of our studies is to gain understanding of vertebrate organ development at the single-cell level, and beyond.

Max planck institute

More recently, we have also started investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic compensation. During these studies, we discovered a cellular response we term transcriptional adaptation whereby mutant mRNA degradation products modulate the expression of so-called adapting genes. Projects aim to understand key aspects of cardiac development such as heart tube formation, cardiac wall morphogenesis, including trabeculation, and valve formation at single cell resolution.

Other projects delve into relatively unexplored areas of cardiac regeneration including the role of the immune system. Cell Reports 17, Reciprocal analyses in zebrafish and medaka reveal that harnessing the immune response promotes cardiac regeneration.

Max planck institute for heart and lung research

Coronary revascularization is regulated by epicardial and endocardial cues and forms a scaffold for cardiomyocyte repopulation. Developmental Cell 51, Focal adhesions are essential to drive zebrafish heart valve morphogenesis. Journal of Cell Biology , Tension heterogeneity directs form and fate to pattern the myocardial wall.

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