Research

Our Research interests


Cancer in motion
Research in the Cell Migration Lab

Cancer metastasis

Our research aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which cancer cells spread through the body.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and accounts for 8.2 million deaths per year.

The formation of metastases is responsible for 90% of deaths in patients with solid tumors.

Video: Cancer cells (purple) invade through collagen (green). Credit : Guillaume Jacquemet and Emilia Peuhu


Cell migration

Our research aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which cells move.
Cell migration is a fundamental physiological process involved in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance, and wound healing.
For cells to migrate, they must interact with their environment using adhesion receptors, such as integrins, and form specialized adhesion complexes that mediate responses to different extracellular cues.

Video: Two populations (Red and Green) of cancer cells migrating. Credit : Guillaume Jacquemet


Filopodia

Our research aims to unravel how cells can sense their environment.
Filopodia are actin-rich “antenna-like” protrusions that are responsible for constantly probing the cellular environment.
In cancer cells, filopodia contribute to single cell migration and invasion, and filopodia-like structures have been implicated in cancer cell survival at metastatic sites.

Video: Cancer cell labeled with lifeact-mTurquoise to observe actin-based protrusions. Credit : Guillaume Jacquemet


Image analysis

We use multiple types of microscopy approaches in our work and continuously develop tools to analyze images.

Check our software.

Image: Time projection illustrating the dynamics of focal adhesions in human endothelial cells. Credit : Martina Lerche and Guillaume Jacquemet


Link to our publications


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