Lu Lab

The Lu lab is interested in how Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) signaling pathways control cell polarization within the tissue plane in multiple developmental processes, including neural tube closure and inner ear morphogenesis. We have developed a multidisciplinary approach using biochemistry, ex vivo organ culture, fluorescence live imaging and mouse genetics to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying PCP and epithelial morphogenesis and how mutations disrupting PCP lead to common congenital birth defects such as neural tube defects and deafness. Ongoing projects aim to elucidate how non-canonical Wnt signaling and tissue mechanical forces act together to orient PCP during tissue morphogenesis.

Our research is supported by grants from NIDCD, NICHD and the UVA Pinn Scholar Award.

• BS, Biochemistry, Peking University
• PhD, Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Postdoc, University of California, San Francisco and Stanford University

Email: xl6f@virginia.edu

Address
Pinn Hall, 3rd Floor
1340 Jefferson Park Ave
Charlottesville, VA 22903