Tight regulation of cell motility and cell proliferation is essential during embryonic development for example during neural crest cell migration. Aberrant regulation of these processes can lead to cancer and metastasis.
We aim to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms controlling cell migration and proliferation. We are particularly interested in uncovering signal transduction pathways from growth factor receptors controlling the actin cytoskeleton, which drives plasma membrane protrusion at the leading edge of migrating cells. We are also exploring novel routes of endocytosis of receptors as signalling from endosomes and vesicle trafficking routes may control directed cell migration. We utilize a combination of biochemical and live cell advanced imaging approaches (FRET-FLIM, super-resolution, TIRF) to quantitatively analyse the effects of genetically altered levels of key signalling molecules thereby allowing us to discover fundamental mechanism of cytoskeletal dynamics and endocytic vesicle trafficking controlling cell proliferation, polarity and cell migration. This detailed analysis may allow us to define novel biomarkers and drug targets which could be utilised in developing targeted cancer therapies.
People
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Senior Lecturer
Projects
Cell migration and metastasis
Role of novel endocytosis mechanisms in cell migration
In vivo neural crest migration
Publications
Awards
GSK3 and lamellipodial dynamics in migrating neural crest cells
- Funder: BBSRC - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- Amount: £460,810
- Dates: 1/06/2018 → 31/05/2021
Activities
Member of The Francis Crick Institute internal Cell Biology and Signalling Interest Group
The CRICK Cell Biology and Signalling Interest Group will bring together scientists working on diverse biological systems, with many different complementary expertise who not only want to understand how these processes are regulated in normal healthy cells, but also the numerous pathological consequences that result when they are misregulated.
Co-organiser of The CRICK-London Cell Motility Club
More than 50 years ago, the Cell Motility Club was initiated by Michael Abercrombie, the then Professor of Zoology at University College London. His pioneering work in the 1950s developed the classic model of contact inhibition of cell locomotion and also made significant contributions to other aspects of cell migration. As a consequence, during the early 1960s the Abercrombie laboratory became a Mecca for all aspiring cell biologists and it was inevitable that a meeting group of interested “London” laboratories be established at UCL. The Cell Motility Club has continued until this day. The CRICK-London Cell Motility Club organises now a mini symposia series with two mini symposia a year in a very open and interactive format. This novel network aims to foster interactions and collaborations to promote research in cell motility, which is at the interface of developmental biology, cell biology, the cross-disciplinary mechanobiology field and require state-of-the-art computer modelling and microscopy techniques. Each mini-symposium comprises a talk of an invited speaker and 4 short talks by PhD students and Postdocs followed by a drinks reception.
The European Cytoskeletal Forum
The European Cytoskeletal Forum (ECF) has been the academic forum for cytoskeleton research in Europe for the last 34 years. The European Cytoskeletal Forum (ECF) is an international association with pure scientific goals. The specific aim of the Forum is the promotion and dissemination of scientific knowledge concerning the structure and function of cytoskeletal elements. The ECF carries out actions directly or indirectly pertaining to its objective, primarily via the organization of or participation in congresses, conferences, workshops and presentations. The ECF promotes research, collaboration, training, and education in the field of cytoskeleton research. Annual meetings of the ECF continuously provide a structured insight into the current status of the field, in an open and interdisciplinary fashion that encourages the participation of researchers from diverse fields.
News
Advanced microscopy study reveals molecular details of tight control of cell migration
New research provides novel insights with potentially important implications for our understanding of Nance-Horan Syndrome and cancer metastasis.
PhD students
People
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Senior Lecturer
Projects
Cell migration and metastasis
Role of novel endocytosis mechanisms in cell migration
In vivo neural crest migration
Publications
Awards
GSK3 and lamellipodial dynamics in migrating neural crest cells
- Funder: BBSRC - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- Amount: £460,810
- Dates: 1/06/2018 → 31/05/2021
Activities
Member of The Francis Crick Institute internal Cell Biology and Signalling Interest Group
The CRICK Cell Biology and Signalling Interest Group will bring together scientists working on diverse biological systems, with many different complementary expertise who not only want to understand how these processes are regulated in normal healthy cells, but also the numerous pathological consequences that result when they are misregulated.
Co-organiser of The CRICK-London Cell Motility Club
More than 50 years ago, the Cell Motility Club was initiated by Michael Abercrombie, the then Professor of Zoology at University College London. His pioneering work in the 1950s developed the classic model of contact inhibition of cell locomotion and also made significant contributions to other aspects of cell migration. As a consequence, during the early 1960s the Abercrombie laboratory became a Mecca for all aspiring cell biologists and it was inevitable that a meeting group of interested “London” laboratories be established at UCL. The Cell Motility Club has continued until this day. The CRICK-London Cell Motility Club organises now a mini symposia series with two mini symposia a year in a very open and interactive format. This novel network aims to foster interactions and collaborations to promote research in cell motility, which is at the interface of developmental biology, cell biology, the cross-disciplinary mechanobiology field and require state-of-the-art computer modelling and microscopy techniques. Each mini-symposium comprises a talk of an invited speaker and 4 short talks by PhD students and Postdocs followed by a drinks reception.
The European Cytoskeletal Forum
The European Cytoskeletal Forum (ECF) has been the academic forum for cytoskeleton research in Europe for the last 34 years. The European Cytoskeletal Forum (ECF) is an international association with pure scientific goals. The specific aim of the Forum is the promotion and dissemination of scientific knowledge concerning the structure and function of cytoskeletal elements. The ECF carries out actions directly or indirectly pertaining to its objective, primarily via the organization of or participation in congresses, conferences, workshops and presentations. The ECF promotes research, collaboration, training, and education in the field of cytoskeleton research. Annual meetings of the ECF continuously provide a structured insight into the current status of the field, in an open and interdisciplinary fashion that encourages the participation of researchers from diverse fields.
News
Advanced microscopy study reveals molecular details of tight control of cell migration
New research provides novel insights with potentially important implications for our understanding of Nance-Horan Syndrome and cancer metastasis.
PhD students
Our Partners
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI)
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)