Control of epithelial morphogenesis by cortical polarity regulators

Epithelial cells form the lining of our bodies and organs. They protect the body against harmful substances and regulate the exchange of nutrients and waste product with the environment. To perform these functions, epithelial cells require a specific organization, in which different sides of the cell play different roles. Loss of epithelial organization contributes to the development of diseases including cancer. The organization of epithelial cells starts with the establishment of an internal compass, pointing in a top to bottom direction. In this project we investigate how this internal compass is used to give epithelial cells their correct organization.