Levin, Michael Tufts

<p>Dec 04, 2016 04:43 PM</p>

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(recom. by Jenn Laude.)</p>

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The LEVIN Lab &nbsp;(at Tufts)</p>

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The capacity to generate a <b>complex organism from the single cell of a fertilized egg</b> is one of the most amazing qualities of multicellular animals.</p>

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The processes involved in laying out a <b>basic body plan and defining the structures</b> that will ultimately be formed depend upon a constant flow of information between cells and tissues.&nbsp;</p>

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The Levin laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms cells use to communicate with one another in the <b>4-dimensional dynamical system known as the developing embryo</b>.</p>

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Through experimental approaches and mathematical modeling, we examine the processes governing large-scale <b>pattern formation and biological information storage during animal embryogenesis</b>.&nbsp;</p>

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Our investigations are directed toward understanding the mechanisms of<b> signaling between cells and tissues that allows a biological system to reliably generate and maintain a complex morphology</b>.&nbsp;</p>

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We study these processes in the context of embryonic development and regeneration, with a particular focus on the <b>biophysics of cell behavior</b>.</p>

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<b> In contrast to other groups focusing on gene expression networks </b>and biochemical signaling factors, we are pursuing, at a molecular level, the roles of<b> endogenous voltages, pH gradients, and ion fluxes as epigenetic carriers of morphological information</b>.&nbsp;</p>

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<b>Using gain- and loss-of-function techniques to specifically modulate cells' ion flow</b> we have the<b> ability to regulate large-scale morphogenetic events relevant to limb formation, eye induction</b>, etc.</p>

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We believe this information will result in important clinical advances through harnessing the biophysical controls of cell behavior.

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