Cell Migration and Signalling (Weiner lab)

The ability to spatially analyze signaling has outpaced our ability to spatially manipulate signals during cell polarity. A number of molecules have been identified (such as Rac and the phospholipid PIP3) that are in the right place at the right time to organize cell polarity and are required for this process, but do they spatially direct polarity?

To answer this question, the Weiner lab needed more sophisticated technologies to spatially and temporally modulate signals on a sub-cellular level. Towards this goal, they are using a combination of artificial protein mislocalization and micropatterning to spatially control signaling during cell polarity. These systems are fabricated in the micro/nanotechnology core facility. This work should significantly increase our understanding of how the circuitry of cellular polarity guides motile cells on their remarkable journey.

This knowledge is essential if we are to ultimately control inflammation, cancer metastasis, and other processes that depend on properly guided cell movement. Having access to advanced microfabrication and nanotechnology is essential for these sophisticated perturbations of cell signaling, and having the ability to do this locally and interactively makes these projects possible for their primarily cell biology-focused lab.