The Wnt code: Deciphering early Wnt interactions in Hydra (A05)

• Subject Area: Biophysics ; Developmental Biology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 331351713

Wnt genes are metazoan specific and play critical roles in embryonic patterning and cell differentiation. Using the Hydra regeneration model, we found that injury-induced MAPK activation primes the formation of a Wnt-driven signaling center (organizer). Physical cues and Hippo-Yap signaling are also essential for the establishment and maintenance of this organizer. Here we aim to reveal the spatiotemporal coupling of Wnt/Hippo-Yap signaling and mechanical forces through the de novo formation of the head organizer. Our data will help to understand how different Wnts and mechanical forces work together during animal evolution.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Thomas W. Holstein; Professor Dr. Motomu Tanaka, since 7/2021