Thomas Lallier, PhD

Research

Dr. Lallier and his laboratory are interested in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cell migration. These involve the ability of cells to dynamically regulate their mechanical contacts with other cells and with the extracellular matrix (ECM). They are focusing upon the cell movements involved with the morphogenesis of early Xenopus embryos. Current research focuses on two aspects of cellular migration: 1) molecules responsible for cell attachment to the ECM; and 2) molecules which regulate cell attachment and guidance. Dr. Lallier and his lab have focused their attention upon cell interactions with laminin (an ECM component involved in epithelia formation and axon guidance) and its cell surface receptors (specifically the a6 subunit of integrin). They are presently studying the interaction between these molecules in neurulation, neural crest cell migration, axon guidance, and pronephric duct formation. They are also investigating the role of semaphorins (collapsins) in setting up the initial tissue pattern within the Xenopus embryo. The lab will also be investigating how semaphorin induces guidance in directing axon guidance as well as cell migrations of the neural crest cell and the pronephros. These experiments will be performed in vivo, by over-expressing and under-expressing various members of the semaphorin family within the living embryo.