© Raphael Schleutker

Research Topics

Our research addresses cellular, molecular, developmental and functional aspects of epithelial biology. In particular, we investigate how the shapes and dimensions of epithelial tubes are controlled. We use primarily the Drosophila tracheal (respiratory) system, a network of gas-filled tubes, as an accessible model. We apply molecular, genetic, cell biological and quantitative imaging approaches to analyze cellular behavior during tube morphogenesis. Answering basic questions about lumen formation and conversion of cellular topology in the Drosophila model provides a conceptual framework to help elucidate similar processes, such as vascular anastomosis, in more complex vertebrate systems.

Selected Publications

  • Schleutker, R., and Luschnig, S. (2024). Palmitoylation of proteolipid protein M6 promotes tricellular junction assembly in epithelia of Drosophila. Journal of Cell Science, 137(6): jcs261916. doi.org/10.1242/jcs.261916.
  • Glashauser, J.*, Camelo, C.*, Hollmann, M., Backer, W., Jacobs, T., Isasti Sanchez, J., Schleutker, R., Förster, D., Berns, N., Riechmann, V., and Luschnig, S. (2023). Acute manipulation and real-time visualization of membrane trafficking and exocytosis in Drosophila. Developmental Cell 58(8): 709-723.e7. doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2023.03.006. *: co-first authors.
  • Chandran, L., Backer, W., Schleutker, R., Kong, D., Beati, S.A.H., Luschnig, S.*, and Müller, H.-A.J.* (2023). Src42A is required for E-cadherin dynamics at cell junctions during Drosophila axis elongation. Development 150 (2): dev201119. doi.org/10.1242/dev.201119. *: co-corresponding authors.
  • Isasti-Sanchez, J., Münz-Zeise, F., Lancino, M., and Luschnig, S. (2021). Transient opening of tricellular vertices controls paracellular transport through the follicle epithelium during Drosophila oogenesis. Developmental Cell 56, 1083-1099.e5. doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2021.03.021.
  • Wittek, A., Hollmann, M., Schleutker, R., and Luschnig, S. (2020). The transmembrane proteins M6 and Anakonda cooperate to initiate tricellular junction assembly in epithelia of Drosophila. Current Biology (30): 4254–4262.e4255. doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.08.003.