Dr. Katja Röper

Biography

Professor Katja Röper's research focuses on the mechanisms of morphogenesis during embryogenesis, particularly how organs form from simple epithelial layers into complex three-dimensional structures. Her group aims to understand the genetic programs that drive morphological changes in individual cells and how these shape changes are coordinated through cell-cell interactions to sculpt nascent tissues. This research is crucial, as organ shape is fundamental to organ function, and defects in morphogenesis can lead to severe diseases such as spina bifida and polycystic kidney disease. One of the core areas of investigation in her lab includes tubular structures of mammalian organ systems, including the intestinal tract, kidney, liver, lung, and vasculature. The lab particularly focuses on tube formation as a critical step in organogenesis through various mechanisms, including folding and budding of epithelial sheets. Recent studies have looked into the formation of nephron tubes using human renal organoids in culture, expanding upon earlier work with salivary glands in Drosophila embryos.

Research Interests