Our Laboratory is at the University of Cyprus.
These are some of our projects.
Click on RESEARCH for more.
Focal adhesion proteins localization at cilia
Cilia are microtubule-based organelles involved in cell signalling, locomotion and generation of extracellular fluid flow. Xenopus laevis is a powerful model for the study of motile cilia because of the large number of multiciliated cells that decorate its epithelium. Previous work from our lab led to the discovery of ciliary adhesions (CA) which include the focal-adhesion proteins FAK, Paxillin and Vinculin. CAs are multiprotein complexes which associate with the basal bodies of cilia and play a critical role in the interactions between basal bodies and the actin cytoskeleton during multicilated cell differentiation. Current work focuses on the precise localization of the CA complex in relation to ciliary accessory structures and identification of new CA protein members. Further work includes the development of in vitro assays to study mucociliary clearance and assess the effect of candidate drugs in order to treat cilia-associated diseases (ciliopathies).
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship: Addressing the impact of surface ectoderm and somitic mesoderm development on neural tube morphogenesis (proposal number 101038073)
Neural tube closure is a fundamental process during vertebrate embryogenesis, which leads to the formation of the central nervous system. Defective neural tube closure leads to neural tube defects, which are one of the most common human birth defects. In our lab we aim to delineate the contribution of distinct morphogenetic processes during neural tube closure. To achieve this, we employ an interdisciplinary research programme which includes live imaging of Xenopus Laevis embryos, 4D cell tracking, optogenetic manipulation of cell contractility and loss of function approaches.