Genetic analysis of epidermal development and homeostasis in zebrafish (A09)

• Subject Area: General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology ; Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2009 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 73111208

Using zebrafish genetics, we have identified a p53/p63-Notch-Caspase 3 pathway regulating epidermal renewal by promoting both terminal keratinocyte differentiation / shedding at the surface and keratinocyte proliferation in basal layers, as well as a Na/K-ATPase as a novel tumour suppressor and hypotonic stress as a novel tumour-risk factor, causing epidermal malignancy via aberrant activation of a PI3K-mTORC1-NFkB pathway. Future research aims to identify upstream and downstream components of identified pathways, and more chemicals to treat corresponding diseases.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 829: Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Skin Homeostasis
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Matthias Hammerschmidt