Cell and Developmental Biology Research Programme
Project Lead: Prof Paul Fowler, Tel: +44 (0)1224 437528, Email: p.a.fowler@abdn.ac.uk
Deputy: Prof Iain McEwan, Tel: +44 (0)1224 437328, Email: iain.mcewan@abdn.ac.uk
The Cell and Developmental Research Programme investigates the Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Cell Physiology that is unique to cells in multicellular organisms. Current research has shown that many of the molecular pathways and mechanisms used during embryonic development are re-deployed in the adult to regulate stem cell maintenance and differentiation in wound healing, regeneration and tissue repair.
The programme investigates vertebrate and invertebrate embryo, regeneration in neural and visual systems, in addition to the cell biology of muscle and airways. Our group utilizes transgenic technology to study crucial signalling pathways that direct cell behaviour and movement.
Tissue modelling and regeneration depend on co-ordination of cell division, cell motility and cell death. The influence of electrical fields on these processes is being studied both to understand basic cell biology and to enable electrical therapies to be applied in clinical problems such as wound healing and spinal cord injury.
Pioneering work has shown that tissues generate their own electrical fields, which influence cell migration and motility and that externally applied electrical fields have a profound influence on cell migration. This has led to a novel approach to accelerate wound healing. Electrical stimulation techniques based on work from this research programme are being used in clinical trials to treat paralysis associated with spinal cord injury. Similar techniques may be useful to treat corneal injuries in the eye and to redirect blood vessel growth to starve tumours of essential nutrients. Current work is investigating the molecular mechanisms by which cells respond to these naturally occurring electrical signals.
Many diseases have their origin in embryonic development. During this critical developmental phase genetic and intra-uterine factors combine to influence cell behaviour and organogenesis. Understanding the processes that regulate early development and influence cell behaviour is of major importance.
The research programme also investigates the causes of inherited defects of the eye and the mechanisms by which the brain adapts to light and dark. These studies, which employ gene targeting techniques, will help to increase understanding of basic physiological processes and the molecular events that cause developmental problems.
The molecular and genetic technologies that are being developed within the group are being applied to numerous clinical research areas. This demonstrates how fundamental research can provide solutions to problems in clinical medicine.