Signaling network converging on the Hippo/YAP pathway in retinal stem cells : implications for neural tissue regeneration.

Projet de stage : We are currently focusing our research on the Hippo/YAP pathway, which emerged as a crucial player in the field of stem cell biology and regeneration. Our lab recently revealed the role of YAP in retinal stem cell proliferation control. The objective is now to pursue YAP functional characterization focusing in particular on its regulation in retinal stem cells, under both physiological and pathological conditions. There are indeed major basic questions that need to be addressed : Is the Hippo pathway a modulator of YAP activity in retinal stem cells ? How does YAP integrate inputs from other key signaling pathways, such as Wnt, Hedgehog, EGF, or TGFß ? Which are the YAP interacting proteins in retinal stem cells ? Is YAP involved in the responses to cellular stresses, in particular oxidative stress under retinal degenerative conditions ? The implication of the Master student to the different aspects of our project will be tailored to his/her skills, background and interest.

Techniques mises en œuvre par le stagiaire : Our laboratory uses a large array of approaches and methods to manipulate gene expression in vivo in mouse and Xenopus or in vitro in cell cultures. Analyses of the phenotypes mainly rely on histology, molecular biology, biochemistry and transcriptomic techniques.