|
The processes of animal development, including organ size and body size, are genetically predetermined, but these processes are also influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition and temperature. The close link between cell and tissue growth control and environmental cues ensures that developmental transitions occur at the appropriate time during animal development.
Cell proliferation and differentiation in each tissue and organ are kept under strict regulation both spatially and temporally. Research has revealed the nature of spatial signals such as growth factors and morphogens, but the way in which these signals direct cell and tissue growth over time remains poorly understood. For example, how do signals sent to quiescent cells direct them to enter the cell cycle and begin proliferating at appropriate developmental stages; and how do they know when to exit the cell cycle and/or undergo differentiation. In addition to the intrinsic gene expression programs, growth and developmental timing are also governed by nutrient availability. Most species have a standard body size, but developing organisms are also capable of adapting their growth to fluctuating nutritional states through metabolic regulation. Therefore, linking the nutrient sensory system to an endocrine signaling network allows organisms to control the timing of cell proliferation and differentiation.
Our team’s research aims to shed light on the molecular basis for growth control and developmental timing at the cellular and tissue/organ level using Drosophila as a model system. In particular, we are interested in addressing the following questions: 1) how do organisms adapt their growth program to changes in energy needs and states; 2) what are the molecular mechanisms that sense nutrient availability and regulate cell/tissue size; and 3) how do endocrine signals interact with metabolic and growth regulators? We will combine biochemical and genetic approaches, along with quantitative and qualitative imaging and cell-biological analysis, to identify and characterize the relevant signal transduction pathways.
|
|
|
