Regulation of epidermal stratification and homeostasis through contractility and density sensing (A11)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2013 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 73111208

How the complex but stereotyped tissue structure of the mammalian epidermis is formed, maintained and regenerated through coordination of growth, differentiation and cell positioning is a fundamental open question in biology. We observe that mechanical forces generated and sensed by the actomyosin cytoskeleton are critical regulators of epidermal homeostasis by integrating tissue topology with single cell fate. We will decipher how dynamic changes in cell adhesion, through effects on tension, drive stratification and identify the molecular mechanisms by which the actomyosin machinery regulates expression of epidermal lineage identity genes.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 829: Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Skin Homeostasis
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Co-Applicant Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie des Alterns
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Sara A. Wickström, Ph.D.