Much of the functional analysis of cadherins has been undertaken in cell culture systems. Our laboratory uses Drosophila development as an in vivo system to explore cadherin functions. Moreover, it has become apparent that the activity of cadherins is carefully regulated during dynamic morphogenetic processes. We are investigating the mode of regulation, and are trying to identify and characterize factors that control cadherin activity. Mechanisms of epithelial polarization.
Epithelial cells are the hallmark of the animal body.
Epithelia are two-dimensional sheets that subdivide the animal body into different compartments. Epithelia act as diffusion barriers and are capable of vectorial transport and thereby control the content of these compartments. The key feature of the structure of epithelial cells is a pronounced apical-basal polarity . We are investigating how the polar structure of epithelial cells is generated and maintained during development. The human crumbs homolog has recently been identified by others, and it was shown that mutations in this gene cause blindness , adding significance to our work.