Dr Eric Theveneau from the Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse. Informal seminar held at 14:00 in the Part II Room on Thursday 9th March 2017. 

Abstract:
Our research group uses neural crest cells from chicken and xenopus embryos to study mechanisms governing cell migration. We are now focusing on how matrix metalloproteinases 14 and 28 (MMP14/MT1-MMP and MMP28/epilysin) affect cell behaviour. MMPs were mostly known for their ability to cleave extracellular matrix components. Over the last 15 years, numerous non-matrix substrates have been identified and MMPs are now known to be able to influence various aspects of cell biology from proliferation to survival to migration. We found MMP14 and MMP28 to be essential for in vivo cell migration. However, the dynamics of their expression, their subcellular localization and their impact on gene expression indicate that they may act in various ways to control cell behaviour.

Host: Ben Steventon