Establishing an in vitro model for embryonic patterning using a novel micropatterning system

Sophie's interests centre on early lineage decisions. During her fellowship, Sophie aims to develop an in vitro model to study lineage specification and the spatial arrangement of different cell types that occurs during mammalian gastrulation. She will utilise quantitative live-imaging approaches to follow these events at a single-cell level in real time as well as genetic mutants to characterise the mechanisms controlling these processes. Sophie will be working in collaboration with Dr Jennifer Nichols at the Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute and Dr Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.