Molecular analysis of signaling pathways controlling morphogenesis,
differentiation and integrity of epithelial layers during
Drosophila oogenesis. The ecdysone signaling pathway.
Genetic analysis of the awd gene function. Drosophila as a
model system to study human disease genes.
Hormonal signaling acts through members of the nuclear receptor
superfamily. Our research focuses on the study of the molecular
mechanisms through which the hormonal signal directs the
appropriate biological responses. In order to study the mechanisms
of hormone action in Drosophila we started a reverse genetic
analysis of EcR (Ecdysone Receptor) function during oogenesis. We
demonstrated that this pathway is required for follicle cell
survival and cell polarity.
We are interested also in the study of the awd gene, the
Drosophila homologue of human metastasis suppressor gene
Nm23. awd acts in regulatory mechanisms that modulate
signal strength from signaling receptors such as Pvr and JAK/STAT.
We are performing a genetic analysis of awd function in the
follicular epithelium.
