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Zell Zell Interaktionen in der Morphogenese

English title Cell cell signaling in development
Applicant Affolter Markus
Number 138651
Funding scheme Project funding (Div. I-III)
Research institution Abteilung Zellbiologie Biozentrum Universität Basel
Institution of higher education University of Basel - BS
Main discipline Embryology, Developmental Biology
Start/End 01.12.2011 - 30.11.2014
Approved amount 860'000.00
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Keywords (2)

angiogenesis; organ development

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
To understand how shape and size of animal organs are determined and implemented during embryogenesis lies at the heart of developmental biology. We are using Drosophila and zebrafish to decipher the mechanisms controlling organ formation. In order to reach this goal, we combine genetic approaches with live imaging studies, trying to link the function of genes to particular cellular behavior important for organ morphogenesis. We are particularly interested in how secreted substances influence morphogenesis of epithelial organs, or how epithelial organs are restructured during branching morphogenesis to give rise to branched networks. Since we concentrate on angiogenesis processes in the zebrafish system, it is likely that our studies will have implications in the broader field of medecine, in attempts to either increase or decrease the formation of new blood vessels.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Publications

Publication
Cdh5/VE-cadherin promotes endothelial cell interface elongation via cortical actin polymerization during angiogenic sprouting.
Sauteur Loïc, Krudewig Alice, Herwig Lukas, Ehrenfeuchter Nikolaus, Lenard Anna, Affolter Markus, Belting Heinz-Georg (2014), Cdh5/VE-cadherin promotes endothelial cell interface elongation via cortical actin polymerization during angiogenic sprouting., in Cell reports, 9(2), 504-13.
Dpp/BMP signaling in flies: from molecules to biology.
Hamaratoglu Fisun, Affolter Markus, Pyrowolakis George (2014), Dpp/BMP signaling in flies: from molecules to biology., in Seminars in cell & developmental biology, 32, 128-36.
Fibroblast growth factor signaling affects vascular outgrowth and is required for the maintenance of blood vessel integrity.
De Smet Frederik, Tembuyser Bieke, Lenard Anna, Claes Filip, Zhang Jie, Michielsen Christof, Van Schepdael Ann, Herbert Jean-Marc, Bono Françoise, Affolter Markus, Dewerchin Mieke, Carmeliet Peter (2014), Fibroblast growth factor signaling affects vascular outgrowth and is required for the maintenance of blood vessel integrity., in Chemistry & biology, 21(10), 1310-7.
Raeppli: a whole-tissue labeling tool for live imaging of Drosophila development.
Kanca Oguz, Caussinus Emmanuel, Denes Alexandru S, Percival-Smith Anthony, Affolter Markus (2014), Raeppli: a whole-tissue labeling tool for live imaging of Drosophila development., in Development (Cambridge, England), 141(2), 472-80.
Blood flow changes coincide with cellular rearrangements during blood vessel pruning in zebrafish embryos.
Kochhan Eva, Lenard Anna, Ellertsdottir Elin, Herwig Lukas, Affolter Markus, Belting Heinz-Georg, Siekmann Arndt F (2013), Blood flow changes coincide with cellular rearrangements during blood vessel pruning in zebrafish embryos., in PloS one, 8(10), 75060-75060.
In vivo analysis reveals a highly stereotypic morphogenetic pathway of vascular anastomosis.
Lenard Anna, Ellertsdottir Elin, Herwig Lukas, Krudewig Alice, Sauteur Loïc, Belting Heinz-Georg, Affolter Markus (2013), In vivo analysis reveals a highly stereotypic morphogenetic pathway of vascular anastomosis., in Developmental cell, 25(5), 492-506.
Protein knockouts in living eukaryotes using deGradFP and green fluorescent protein fusion targets.
Caussinus Emmanuel, Kanca Oguz, Affolter Markus (2013), Protein knockouts in living eukaryotes using deGradFP and green fluorescent protein fusion targets., in Current protocols in protein science / editorial board, John E. Coligan ... [et al.], 73, 30-2.
The tip cell concept 10 years after: new players tune in for a common theme.
Siekmann Arndt F, Affolter Markus, Belting Heinz-Georg (2013), The tip cell concept 10 years after: new players tune in for a common theme., in Experimental cell research, 319(9), 1255-63.
The zebrafish common cardinal veins develop by a novel mechanism: lumen ensheathment.
Helker Christian S M, Schuermann Annika, Karpanen Terhi, Zeuschner Dagmar, Belting Heinz-Georg, Affolter Markus, Schulte-Merker Stefan, Herzog Wiebke (2013), The zebrafish common cardinal veins develop by a novel mechanism: lumen ensheathment., in Development (Cambridge, England), 140(13), 2776-86.
Tugging organs into place.
Lenard Anna, Affolter Markus (2013), Tugging organs into place., in Developmental cell, 27(3), 243-4.
VE-PTP regulates VEGFR2 activity in stalk cells to establish endothelial cell polarity and lumen formation.
Hayashi Makoto, Majumdar Arindam, Li Xiujuan, Adler Jeremy, Sun Zuyue, Vertuani Simona, Hellberg Carina, Mellberg Sofie, Koch Sina, Dimberg Anna, Koh Gou Young, Dejana Elisabetta, Belting Heinz-Georg, Affolter Markus, Thurston Gavin, Holmgren Lars, Vestweber Dietmar, Claesson-Welsh Lena (2013), VE-PTP regulates VEGFR2 activity in stalk cells to establish endothelial cell polarity and lumen formation., in Nature communications, 4, 1672-1672.
Developmental role of zebrafish protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) in the cardio-vascular system.
Ellertsdottir Elin, Berthold Peter R, Bouzaffour Mohamed, Dufourcq Pascale, Trayer Vincent, Gauron Carole, Vriz Sophie, Affolter Markus, Rampon Christine (2012), Developmental role of zebrafish protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) in the cardio-vascular system., in PloS one, 7(7), 42131-42131.
Fluorescent fusion protein knockout mediated by anti-GFP nanobody.
Caussinus Emmanuel, Kanca Oguz, Affolter Markus (2012), Fluorescent fusion protein knockout mediated by anti-GFP nanobody., in Nature structural & molecular biology, 19(1), 117-21.
GBF1 (Gartenzwerg)-dependent secretion is required for Drosophila tubulogenesis.
Wang Shuoshuo, Meyer Heiko, Ochoa-Espinosa Amanda, Buchwald Ulf, Onel Susanne, Altenhein Benjamin, Heinisch Jürgen J, Affolter Markus, Paululat Achim (2012), GBF1 (Gartenzwerg)-dependent secretion is required for Drosophila tubulogenesis., in Journal of cell science, 125(Pt 2), 461-72.
Microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein (MTP) is required to expand tracheal lumen in Drosophila in a cell-autonomous manner.
Baer Magdalena M, Palm Wilhelm, Eaton Suzanne, Leptin Maria, Affolter Markus (2012), Microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein (MTP) is required to expand tracheal lumen in Drosophila in a cell-autonomous manner., in Journal of cell science, 125(Pt 24), 6038-48.
Tubulogenesis: Src42A goes to great lengths in tube elongation.
Ochoa-Espinosa Amanda, Baer Magdalena M, Affolter Markus (2012), Tubulogenesis: Src42A goes to great lengths in tube elongation., in Current biology : CB, 22(11), 446-9.
Cell biology. Cytonemes show their colors.
Affolter Markus, Basler Konrad (2011), Cell biology. Cytonemes show their colors., in Science (New York, N.Y.), 332(6027), 312-3.
Distinct cellular mechanisms of blood vessel fusion in the zebrafish embryo.
Herwig Lukas, Blum Yannick, Krudewig Alice, Ellertsdottir Elin, Lenard Anna, Belting Heinz-Georg, Affolter Markus (2011), Distinct cellular mechanisms of blood vessel fusion in the zebrafish embryo., in Current biology : CB, 21(22), 1942-8.
Dpp signaling activity requires Pentagone to scale with tissue size in the growing Drosophila wing imaginal disc.
Hamaratoglu Fisun, de Lachapelle Aitana Morton, Pyrowolakis George, Bergmann Sven, Affolter Markus (2011), Dpp signaling activity requires Pentagone to scale with tissue size in the growing Drosophila wing imaginal disc., in PLoS biology, 9(10), 1001182-1001182.
Drosophila syndecan regulates tracheal cell migration by stabilizing Robo levels.
Schulz Joachim G, Ceulemans Helga, Caussinus Emmanuel, Baietti Maria F, Affolter Markus, Hassan Bassem A, David Guido (2011), Drosophila syndecan regulates tracheal cell migration by stabilizing Robo levels., in EMBO reports, 12(10), 1039-46.
Formation of the long range Dpp morphogen gradient.
Schwank Gerald, Dalessi Sascha, Yang Schu-Fee, Yagi Ryohei, de Lachapelle Aitana Morton, Affolter Markus, Bergmann Sven, Basler Konrad (2011), Formation of the long range Dpp morphogen gradient., in PLoS biology, 9(7), 1001111-1001111.
Modeling new conceptual interpretations of development.
Vermot Julien, Affolter Markus (2011), Modeling new conceptual interpretations of development., in Development (Cambridge, England), 138(19), 4111-5.
Pentagone: patrolling BMP morphogen signaling.
Vuilleumier Robin, Affolter Markus, Pyrowolakis George (2011), Pentagone: patrolling BMP morphogen signaling., in Fly, 5(3), 210-4.
Semaphorin-PlexinD1 signaling limits angiogenic potential via the VEGF decoy receptor sFlt1.
Zygmunt Tomasz, Gay Carl Michael, Blondelle Jordan, Singh Manvendra K, Flaherty Kathleen McCrone, Means Paula Casey, Herwig Lukas, Krudewig Alice, Belting Heinz-Georg, Affolter Markus, Epstein Jonathan A, Torres-Vázquez Jesús (2011), Semaphorin-PlexinD1 signaling limits angiogenic potential via the VEGF decoy receptor sFlt1., in Developmental cell, 21(2), 301-14.
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin is required for formation of the neurovascular interface of the pituitary.
Gutnick Amos, Blechman Janna, Kaslin Jan, Herwig Lukas, Belting Heinz-Georg, Affolter Markus, Bonkowsky Joshua L, Levkowitz Gil (2011), The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin is required for formation of the neurovascular interface of the pituitary., in Developmental cell, 21(4), 642-54.
The novel transmembrane protein Tmem2 is essential for coordination of myocardial and endocardial morphogenesis.
Totong Ronald, Schell Thomas, Lescroart Fabienne, Ryckebüsch Lucile, Lin Yi-Fan, Zygmunt Tomasz, Herwig Lukas, Krudewig Alice, Gershoony Dafna, Belting Heinz-Georg, Affolter Markus, Torres-Vázquez Jesús, Yelon Deborah (2011), The novel transmembrane protein Tmem2 is essential for coordination of myocardial and endocardial morphogenesis., in Development (Cambridge, England), 138(19), 4199-205.

Collaboration

Group / person Country
Types of collaboration
Sven Bergmann, University Lausanne Switzerland (Europe)
- Publication
Achim Paululat, Universität Osnabrück Germany (Europe)
- Publication
Konrad Basler, Universität Zürich Switzerland (Europe)
- Publication
Ernst Hafen, ETH Zürich Switzerland (Europe)
- in-depth/constructive exchanges on approaches, methods or results
Debbie Yellon, UCSD, La Jolla United States of America (North America)
- Publication
Georgios Pyrowolakis, Universität Freiburg Germany (Europe)
- Publication
Jesus Torres-Vazquez, Skirrball United States of America (North America)
- Publication

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
BMP Berlin 2014 Talk given at a conference New Tools to Investigate the Role of Dpp/BMP2/4 as a Morphogen 20.09.2014 Berlin, Germany Affolter Markus;
EMBO Morphogen Gradients Talk given at a conference Nanobodies as Novel Tools to Study Dpp/BMP Morphogen Gradient Formation in vivo 28.06.2014 Oxford, Great Britain and Northern Ireland Affolter Markus;
5ème Congrès de la Société Française d'Angiogenèse Talk given at a conference Keynote Lecture - Imaging Angiogenesis: Branching Morphogenesis in Drosophila & Zebrafish 03.04.2014 Chamonix, France Affolter Markus;
5th Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators Talk given at a conference Cell Behavior in Angiogenesis 21.01.2014 Pacific Grove, CA, United States of America Affolter Markus;
FASEB Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Talk given at a conference Nanobodies as Novel Tools to Study Dpp Morphogen Gradient Formation 30.07.2013 Steamboat Springs, CO, United States of America Affolter Markus;
40th Annual Meeting Danish Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Talk given at a conference cell Behavior in Vascular Remodeling 17.04.2013 Helsingor, Denmark Affolter Markus;
International Symposium: Signaling in Morphogenesis and Patterning Talk given at a conference Branching Morphogenesis: New Methods, New Cell Activities 13.03.2013 Helsinki, Finland Affolter Markus;
Harvard Medical School, Department of Genetics Talk given at a conference Nanobodies: powerful new tools in developmental cell biology 16.01.2013 Boston, United States of America Affolter Markus;
7th International Kloster Seeon Meeting: Angiogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms & Functional Interactions Talk given at a conference Cell Behavior in Angiogenesis 17.09.2012 Kloster Seeon, Germany Affolter Markus;
EMBO 18th Biannual Meeting on Molecular & Developmental Biology of Drosophila Talk given at a conference Nanobodies and their use in developmental cell biology 25.06.2012 Kolymbari, Greece Affolter Markus;
17th International Vascular Biology Meeting Poster A Cellular Choreography of Vascular Network Formation: Disctinct Cell Activities are Coordinated During Blood Vessel Fusion 02.06.2012 Wiesbaden, Germany Bieli Dimitri; Hamaratoglu Fisun; Affolter Markus; Lenard Anna; Ochoa-Espinosa Amanda;


Communication with the public

Communication Title Media Place Year
Talks/events/exhibitions Durchsichtige Tiere in der Forschung Western Switzerland 2013
Talks/events/exhibitions Weltenreise Blut Western Switzerland 2013
Talks/events/exhibitions Wie kam ich dazu Forscher zu werden? Western Switzerland 2013
Talks/events/exhibitions Gibt es durchsichtige Tiere? Western Switzerland 2012

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
122436 Cell-Cell Signaling in Morphogenese 01.12.2008 Project funding (Div. I-III)
156838 In vivo cell biology of organ morphogenesis 01.12.2014 Project funding (Div. I-III)
156838 In vivo cell biology of organ morphogenesis 01.12.2014 Project funding (Div. I-III)

Abstract

We are interested how organs get their shape during the development, both in the cellular mechanisms as well as in its molecular control. We use the Drosophila and the zebrafish embryo to study branching morphogenesis of the tracheal system and the vasculature, respectively. A better understanding of the molecular basis of processes which shape the vasculature is of crucial importance in the medical field, and we hope that our research helps to contribute to better treatment for a number of diseases affecting the vasculature.
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