Current Research Projects

NLRR1 gene regulation and function during muscle development.

We have shown that NLRR1 expression occurs in the earliest muscle precursors in the mouse embryo and is also regulated in C2C12 cells. It is also expressed in a highly regulated pattern in the developing nervous system however its function is not known. The aim of this project is to analyse NLRR1 function and mechanism of action using C2C12 cells and embryos. We will also aim to look at NLRR1 gene regulation by the muscle regulatory factors and the role of conserved elements in the NLRR1 promoter on NLRR1 expression in cells and embryos.

The role of FLRT3 during myogenesis.

FLRT3 is important for early embryonic development and has been shown to interact with FGF signalling. All FLRTs can interact with FGF receptors and exhibit highly regulated expression during embryogenesis. The aim of this project is to analyse FLRT function in relation to its interaction with FGF signalling and effect on cell adhesion/migration. We aim to analyse the effect of different FLRT constructs on FGF signalling and on cell migration/adhesion in cell culture. We will also analyse FLRTs role in muscle development using developmental systems.

The effect of leucine rich repeat transmembrane proteins on stem cell differentiation.

Leucine rich repeat transmembrane proteins are thought to regulate cell signalling and cell adhesion by interaction with proteins at the cell surface. They are expressed in specific subsets of cells at early stages of development particularly in the nervous system. The aim of this project is to analyse the expression of leucine rich repeat transmembrane proteins during the differentiation of embryonic stem cells and muscle satellite cells. We will then aim to analyse the effect of modulation of leucine rich repeat transmembrane protein expression and function on the differentiation process.