Research Interests

Biology of Ciliated Epithelia

Research Area

Our current research aims at understanding how ciliated epithelia are built and function. Ciliated epithelia contain multiciliated cells (MCCs), which harbor dozens to hundreds of motile cilia beating coordinately to generate hydrodynamic forces important in animal physiology. MCCs are present throughout metazoan evolution and serve functions ranging from locomotion of marine larvae and flatworms, to brain homeostasis, mucociliary clearance of pathogens, and transportation of oocytes in vertebrates. Recently, mutations in genes necessary for MCC differentiation have been shown to be responsible for familial syndromes characterized by severe chronic airway infections, and an elevated risk of infertility. The epidermis of the Xenopus embryo offers a powerful model to study the biology of ciliated epithelia. Using this model, we address a number of questions pertaining to the emergence of the physiological function of ciliated epithelia, such as MCC fate acquisition, MCC differentiation, MCC spatial distribution, and cilia polarity.

Current Members

Kodjabachian, Laurent (Principal Investigator/Director) Contact

Additional Information

Current lab members: Virginie Thomé; Andrea Pasini; Olivier Rosnet; Camille Boutin; Alexandre Chuyen; Aude Nommick.

Contact

Institution: IBDML, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Universite

Address:
Campus Luminy, Case 907
Route Léon lachamp
Marseille cedex 9
13288, France

Web Page: http://www.ibdm.univ-mrs.fr/equipe/biology-of-ciliated-epithelia/

General/Lab Fax: +33 4 91 26 93 16

Phone: +33 4 91 26 93 58

Cell phone: +33 6 27 80 65 40