Department for Molecular Physiology & Biophysical Imaging

We study how tissue ecosystems are maintained by communication between non-immune cells and cells of the innate immune system. A key focus is the primary cilium, a sensory compartment on nearly all mammalian cells that relays information from the environment and shapes cell fate.

Because the signalling pathways that control ciliary function are poorly understood, and ciliary dysfunction causes diseases called ciliopathies, we combine optogenetics, genetically encoded biosensors, high-resolution microscopy, mouse genetics and biochemistry.