Research Lines
Cell Adhesion
Cells adhere to each other and to the surrounding extracellular matrix.
Cell adhesion is a dynamic process that regulates cellular communication with the environment. Cell adhesion is vital for the development and maintenance of tissues, as well as for wound healing, immunity, and tissue repair.
We study cell adhesion in health and disease.
Image: Time projection of cell adhesion dynamics imaged by TIRF microscopy.
Integrins and extracellular matrix
Integrins are heterodimeric conformational cell-surface receptors important for cell adhesion, migration, and signaling.
Defects in integrin function are associated with a wide range of human diseases including bleeding disorders, blistering diseases, and cancer.
We study integrin function and regulation in physiological and pathological conditions.
Image: Integrins in different conformations on the cell-surface (Jose Maria de Pereda).
Cell Migration
Cell migration is important for many physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development, carcinoma invasion, immune surveillance, blood vessel formation, and wound healing.
We study the mechanisms that drive cell migration.
Movie: Migrating endothelial cells with labeled nuclei and actin filaments.
Blood vessels and angiogenesis
Blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues, and play a vital role in physiology and many human diseases.
We study how blood vessels are formed by sprouting angiogenesis, and how they are maintained in health and disease.
Image: Depth projection of sprouting endothelial cells in a protein matrix.