Developmental Genetics - Signal transduction during embryogenesis and tumor progression

In embryonic development, signalling networks interact in a controlled manner to specify cell fates. During tumor formation and progression, oncogenic mutations perturb such signals. As a consequence, the balance between stemness, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis is lost in the tumor. The mouse is an excellent model to study vertebrate development and disease, due to availability of inbred strains, a complete and annotated genome sequence, and the ability to modify the genome by transgenic techniques. In our projects, we expand the toolkit of mouse genetics and genomics and apply innovative methods to study tumor initiation and progression in the mouse.

1) Development of novel transgenic mouse models to study mouse trunk development and tumor progression

3) Identification of modifiers of intestinal tumor formation and progression, using consomic mice

4) Identification of genes and signals that regulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition and stem cell function in the intestine

Gaby Bläß (Technician)

Sören Reinke (Masters Student)



Alumni:

Joana Alves Vidigal (Now Postdoc at Sloan Kettering, NY, USA)

Marc Leushacke (Now Postdoc at IMB Singapore, Singapore)

Recent Publications

An RNA interference phenotypic screen identifies a role for FGF signals in colon cancer progression. Leushacke M, Spörle R, Brouwer-Lehmitz A, Fritzmann J, Theis M, Buchholz F, Herrmann BG, Morkel M. PLoS ONE, 2011 Aug 11

Identification of Y-box binding protein 1 as a core regulator of MEK/ERK pathway dependent gene signatures in colorectal cancer cells. Jürchott K, Kuban R-J, Krech T, Blüthgen N, Stein U, Walther W, Friese C, Kielbasa SM, Ungethüm U, Lund P, Knösel T, Kemmner W, Morkel M, Fritzmann J, Schlag PM, Birchmeier W, Krueger T, Sperling S, Sers C, Royer HD, Herzel H, Schäfer R. PLOS Genetics. 2010 Dec 2

A Flexible Multiwell Format for Immunofluorescence Screening Microscopy of Small-Molecule Inhibitors. Scholz AK, Klebl BM, Morkel M, Lehrach H, Dahl A, Lange BM. Assay Drug. Dev. Technol. 2010 Jul 28

An inducible RNA interference system for the functional dissection of mouse embryogenesis. Vidigal JA, Morkel M, Wittler L, Brouwer-Lehmitz A, Grote P, Macura K, Herrmann BG. Nucleic Acids Res. 2010 Mar 28.

A colorectal cancer expression profile that includes transforming growth factor beta inhibitor BAMBI predicts metastatic potential. Fritzmann J, Morkel M, Besser D, Budczies J, Kosel F, Brembeck FH, Stein U, Fichtner I, Schlag PM, Birchmeier W. Gastroenterology 2009 Jul;137(1):165-75.

c-Met is essential for wound healing in the skin. Chmielowiec J, Borowiak M, Morkel M, Stradal T, Munz B, Werner S, Wehland J, Birchmeier C, Birchmeier W. J Cell Biol 2007 Apr 9;177(1):151-62.

A role for E2F6 in the restriction of male germ cell specific gene expression. Pohlers M, Truss M, Frede U, Stehle M, Kuban RJ, Hoffmann B, Morkel M, Birchmeier C, Hagemeier C. Current Biology 2005 Jun 7;15(11):1051-7

Beta-catenin regulates Cripto- and Wnt3-dependent gene expression programs in mouse axis and mesoderm formation. Morkel M, Huelsken J, Wakamiya M, Ding J, van de Wetering M, Clevers H, Taketo MM, Behringer RR, Shen MM, Birchmeier W. Development 2003 Dec;130(25):6283-9