Imaging spatio-temporal signaling programs during cell migration and neuronal differentiation
Dates: | 11 February 2014 |
Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
What is it: | Seminar |
Organiser: | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Who is it for: | University staff |
Speaker: | Olivier Pertz |
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This seminar is part of the Tissue Systems seminar series. Cell migration and neurite outgrowth are complex morphogenetic events that fluctuate on time and length scales of seconds and single microns. I will present novel technologies that allow to measure the activation dynamics of signalling molecules - Rho GTPases and ERK MAP kinases - in single living cells, and at those relevant time and length scales. This allows to revise current paradigms that stem form classic biochemical and cell biological approaches. Cell migration and neurite outgrowth involve complex signalling networks that co-ordinate cytoskeletal, adhesion and membrane dynamics necessary for that process. System biology approaches are therefore needed to understand how these signalling programs are integrated. I will present a siRNA screen that explores the complexity of Rho GTPase signalling during neurite outgrowth. Finally, the classic cell culture dishes approaches traditionally used to study cell migration do often not allow to induce robust and highly polarised cell migration behaviours. I will discuss how highly polarised and directional cell migration can be engineered, and the cytoskeletal, adhesion and signalling requirements necessary to initiate and maintain polarity in this cell migration event.
Speaker
Olivier Pertz
Organisation: University of Basel
Travel and Contact Information
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Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester