My lab focuses on studying the molecular and cell biological mechanisms for the morphogenetic processes during early development in vertebrate animals. Morphogenesis (Shape formation) is one of the most intriguing phenomena in living organisms. Every living organisms such as bacteria, algae, plants and animals has their own shapes. In most of cases the shape of individual cells or large tissues are critical for the survival of the organisms. In this sense, it is not surprising that the morphogenetic processes are tightly controlled by complicated signaling and mechanisms. To uncover the molecular and cell biological mechanisms for critical morphogenesis during embryonic development, my lab uses Xenopus laevis and mouse as model systems.
Current research topics include cartilage formation and destruction, developmental and pathological processes of muco-ciliay epithelium.