Wnt pathway specificity in niche – stem cell control (A08*)

• Subject Area: Developmental Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 331351713

Wnt signaling is essential for stem cell regulation, yet how it achieves specificity and robustness across different stem cell populations remains poorly understood. We study two Drosophila stem cell niches to elucidate how context-dependent Wnt codes, defined by ligand-receptor combinations, and output codes, defined by the specific transcriptional and cellular responses, are shaped by ligand-receptor interactions, transcriptional regulation, and cross-talk with other pathways. Through comparative and functional analyses, we aim to uncover how Wnt signaling integrates developmental and niche-derived cues to produce precise, robust, and reproducible stem cell behaviors in dynamic tissue environments.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Dr. Josephine Bageritz; Professorin Dr. Ingrid Lohmann