Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Using genetics and optogenetics to dissect how Rho signaling is coordinated at distinct subcellular domains to drive epithelial tissue morphogenesis

Award Number: F31HD118793
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2027

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Using genetics and optogenetics to dissect how Rho signaling is coordinated at distinct subcellular domains to drive epithelial tissue morphogenesis - Project Summary/Abstract During embryonic development, cellular cytoskeletal machinery produces mechanical forces to deform epithelial tissue sheets into complex structures. Although the gene and protein regulatory networks that direct development have been the focus of many studies, much less is known about how these patterned molecular programs generate cell and tissue-scale forces to physically sculpt developing tissues and organs. Convergent extension is a widely conserved morphogenetic process employed extensively across animal development, and its failure is associated with common congenital anomalies in humans. However, the nature of the subcellular forces directing tissue convergent extension remain poorly understood. Here, I propose using the Drosophila melanogaster embryo as a model for dissecting the interplay of the actomyosin-generated subcellular forces that direct cell intercalations during convergent extension. In Aim 1, I seek to quantify and correlate actomyosin dynamics at cell apices, junctions, and lateral domains during both germband extension, in which contractility at these domains cooperatively drives cell rearrangements, and ventral furrow formation, in which contractility at these domains drives both in-plane cell rearrangements and out-of-plane tissue bending. Then, using genetic mutants that disrupt actomyosin patterning in the early embryo, I plan to study how defects in coordination between apical, junctional, and lateral actomyosin contribute to perturbed developmental phenotypes. In Aim 2, I propose using optogenetic control of Rho signaling to specifically and simultaneously manipulate actomyosin at cell junctions, apices, and lateral domains in order to build a bottom-up understanding of how actomyosin coordination across different subcellular domains enacts distinct cell and tissue-scale morphogenetic processes. I will use insight gained from endogenous germband extension and ventral furrow formation processes to manipulate the frequency, duration, magnitude, and coordination of these distinct subcellular contractile optogenetic inputs, and measure the resulting cell and tissue deformations. These studies will elucidate the biochemical and mechanical nature of epithelial remodeling during convergent extension, contributing to our understanding of healthy and perturbed developmental processes.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	615 W 131ST ST	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	2	3/9/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$49,538
2026	2026	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	615 W 131ST ST	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	2	3/24/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$576
														Subtotal = $50,114

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $49,538 )
2025	2025	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	615 W 131ST ST	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	3/19/2025	NEW	$48,974
2025	2025	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	615 W 131ST ST	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	002	1	6/2/2025	NEW	$564
2025	2025	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	615 W 131ST ST	NEW YORK	NY	10027	NEW YORK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	1	3/19/2025	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $49,538

Grand Total All Awards = $99,652

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Using genetics and optogenetics to dissect how Rho signaling is coordinated at distinct subcellular domains to drive epithelial tissue morphogenesis

Award Number: F31HD118793

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer