Coordinator in Cell Biology
 

Regulation of Epithelial Cell Functions by Integrins and the Extracellular Matrix
 

Project leader: Aki Manninen, Ph.D.
Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu

mailing address:
P.O.Box 5000, FIN-90014 University of Oulu, Finland

street address:
Aapistie 5A, FIN-90220 Oulu, Finland
Tel. +358-(0)294 486081
Fax +358-8-537 6115
e-mail: aki.manninen (at) oulu.fi

About the project

Polarized epithelial cells are crucial building blocks of most of our organs. Our group studies the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM-binding integrin receptors in the regulation of epithelial cell differentiation and morphogenesis. Deregulated epithelial cell functions contribute to common and severe diseases such as fibrosis and cancer. We study epithelial cell differentiation using various cell biological and biochemical methods in combination with gene-silencing tools in different advanced in vitro cell/tissue models. The project is part of the Finnish Centre of Excellence Programme funded by the Academy of Finland (Centre of Excellence Grant 2012 - 2017, 251314)
 

Project details
 

1. Background and Significance
2. Recent Progress and Future Goals
3. Selected Publications
4. Research Group Members
5. National and International Activities