Spatially-resolved cell signaling

Revealing how cells modulate molecular signaling at the sub-cellular level

Cells have the remarkable ability to control their shape and function at the scale of micrometer, suggesting that the chemical reactions underlying these processes are also spatially modulated. Using multi-component, micropatterned surfaces, we demonstrated that T cells are sensitive to the relative co-localization of TCR/CD3 and CD28 (costimulatory) signaling. Moreover, convergence of these pathways is modulated by the lateral mobility of molecules in the cell membrane. Continuing studies seek to reveal the full role of these reaction-diffusion mechanisms in defining cell function.