Dr Nate Goehring
We want to understand the basic design principles that define how cells acquire their form, fate, and function during development
Dr Nate Goehring
Cell asymmetry and fate specification in early embryos
How a single cell gives rise to the remarkable diversity of cells, tissues, and organs in the body is one of the central questions in developmental biology. This process requires not only that cells divide, but also that they acquire distinct identities and organise themselves correctly in space and time. We use the nematode worm C. elegans as a powerful model system to uncover the design principles underlying these processes.
Our research focuses on how early embryos define time and space. We are particularly interested in the emergence of cell polarity and its impact on development. Cell polarity serves as an internal cellular compass, enabling cells to orient themselves in space and divide asymmetrically to give rise to daughter cells with distinct identities. We are exploring how the molecular networks underlying cell polarity integrate spatial and temporal cues, how they generate and encode spatial information, and how cells interpret this information to control cell form, fate and function during development.
We strongly value the synergies that come from diverse perspectives and actively foster an environment built on curiosity, openness, collaboration, and interdisciplinarity.
