Revealing how the mammalian preimplantation embryo undergoes compaction

对哺乳动物发育至关重要的第一个形态学过程是胚胎压实。在压实过程中，细胞的形态由圆形变为楔形。控制胚胎压实的机制尚不清楚。我们最近发现，在压实过程中，细胞在彼此的顶部延伸出长长的膜突起。在这个项目中，我们将确定这些突出物在控制胚胎压实中的作用，并揭示它们形成的机制。

The first morphological process critical for mammalian development is embryo compaction. During compaction, cells change their morphology from rounded to wedge-like. The mechanisms controlling embryo compaction remain unclear. We recently discovered that during compaction, cells extend long membrane protrusions on top of each other. In this Project we will establish the role of these protrusion in controlling embryo compaction and reveal the mechanisms underlying their formation.