Regulation of epithelial architecture: Insights from developing zebrafish epidermis
Prof. Mahendra Sonawane, Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
Location : LH-5, Lecture Hall complex
Abstract: My lab investigates mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of epithelial architecture using developing zebrafish epidermis as a model. In this context, we study how tissue polarity is established in a bi-layered epithelial system, how cell size is regulated, what is the advantage of cell-size maintenance, and how the formation of apical projections on the squamous epithelial cells, called microridges, is regulated. In my talk, I will briefly summarise our published work with emphasis on the importance of cell size regulation in the maintenance of mechanical properties of the epithelium and unpublished work on how mTOR signalling regulates microridge pattern by interacting with the polarity module.