My research at Dr. Clare Buckley lab in Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, focused on the role of cell-cell adhesion mediated force during de novo polarisation of epithelial tubes. I used two models for my study to explore the topic. First, I used a mESC culture model that phenocopies the morphogenesis of the very early mammalian embryo during implantation, when the epiblast forms a centrally located, polarised lumen. This minimal model allowed me to control cell number and cell-cell interaction so that I can analyse the initiation of absolutely naïve junctional adhesions in relation to polarisation. My work in this system with immunofluorescence, stable cell lines, as well as live cell imaging, labelled the location of key apical proteins (e.g. Pard3 and Pard6) during de novo polarisation in real time in the system. Second, I used the zebrafish neural tube as an in vivo model of epithelial tube formation. I designed to use CRISPR-CAS9 to manipulate cell adhesion molecules and a cutting-edge optogenetic approach to both image and manipulate the process of apicobasal polarisation and junctional formation, and were at the initial stage of trialing these techniques with some key preliminary data collected. My work have found that 1) mESC cultured into clumps can polarise de novo at the cell-cell interface and this can happen dispensable of cell divisions; 2) the position of de novo polarisation in mESC clumps can be guided by E-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions; 3) During zebrafish neural tube opening, the mechanical force generator - myosin may play a important role in morphogenesis. The implement of the project transferred my knowledge in general cell culture and epithelium cell biology to the host, while the host helped me to develop my knowledge in mouse and zebrafish embryonic study and developmental biology. I have presented my work as posters in conference and workshops, as well as had the opportunity to share my knowledge in public engagements (e.g. university open days and Cambridge Science Festival). With the knowledge I acquired from the implement of the project, I have supervised and will teach and supervise research degree students, as well as teaching zebrafish developmental biology and optogenetics in workshops and courses.
