Our laboratory is interested in studying how basic cellular processes define the shape and size of complex multicellular structures such as organs. Most internal organs are networks of interconnected tubes that transport fluids and cells. Tubes are composed of polarized epithelial cells that serve as barriers between different compartments. Transport of ions, water and various types of substances across body compartments depends on the ability of epithelial cells to develop and maintain a polarized distribution of channels, pores and transporters. During development, physiological functions such as fluid secretion and flow also contribute to organogenesis and epithelial biology. It is therefore important to analyze tissue and organ morphogenesis in a physiologically relevant context using an in vivo model that provides direct experimental access. Using zebrafish as a model system our laboratory studies tube formation in the gut. Our work is aimed at understanding how biological tubes are assembled and maintained as physiologically active systems. We study three main interralated questions: 1) What are the cellular processes regulating single lumen specification?; 2) How does fluid secretion affect tube size and shape?; 3) What is the machinery that controls apical membrane biogenesis.
