Environmental control of melanocyte differentiation and transformation through cell adhe si-on & mechanics (A12*)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200049484

A12N previously revealed links between epithelial cell-cell adhesion, cell polarity and mechanochem-ical signaling. Within the CRC1027 we will now explore how direct micro-environmental factors such as ad-hesion, biomechanical properties and spatial constraints control the differentiation of melanocytes and how alterations in these entities contribute to hypopigmentation and malignant disease. By combining functional-ized surfaces and defined adhesion geometries with quantitative analysis of cell mechanics, loss-of-function models for polarity regulators and various reporter systems, we aim to delineate signaling pathways that link control of cell adhesion, shape and differentiation in this neural-crest derived cell lineage.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1027: Physical Modelling of Non-Equilibrium Processes in Biological Systems
• Applicant Institution: Universität des Saarlandes
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Sandra Iden