Dissecting robustness mechanisms via signalling adaptation and trafficking plasticity during developmental and pathological cell migration

Biological systems are reliable because they can produce stable outcomes even when changes are experienced. However, how this is brought about is still unclear. Here, I will investigate the problem using moving cells. Cells move in response to attractant signals to form organs at the correct places, mediate healing of wounds, and during pathological conditions including cancer spreading. Thus, reliable cell movement can be both beneficial and detrimental to health and fitness. To model the various cell movement processes, I will use the zebrafish, which is transparent and facilitates observation of activities inside cells in real time. In combination, cancer cell lines will be used to address situations where reliability may be undesirable. I will uncover the molecular underpinnings of how cells interpret changes in the environment and respond rapidly and appropriately. This will allow us to develop strategies to increase or decrease cell movement reliability depending on the context.