Department of Zoology

 

Developmental Biology

Barry Denholm

Senior Research Associate

Email: bjd24@cam.ac.uk

Tel.: +44 (0)1223 336635

Organogenesis describes a series of organised processes that occur during development to transform groups of cells into mature organs with a defined size, shape and function. I am interested in these processes, how they are controlled and how they are integrated with one another. In the lab, we use the simple excretory system of the fly (Drosophila) benefiting from an ease of experimental manipulation and tractable genetics, but one that also shares many features with more complex organs such as the vertebrate kidney. By using a combination of genetic, genomic, cell, and physiological techniques we are exploring the processes that underpin development of the fly excretory system that will provide fundamental insights into organogenesis more widely.

My current research focuses on a group of specialized filtration cells within the fly excretory system called nephrocytes that we have recently shown share remarkable resemblance to the podocyte of the vertebrate kidney. In a collaborative project with research clinicians we are using the nephrocyte as a model to understand the function of genes known to be important for kidney development. By studying the development, cell biology and physiology of the nephrocyte our goal is understand the function of these genes during normal kidney development and to learn more about the pathogenesis of specific kidney diseases.  

Selected publications

  • Pulver, S.*, Cognigni, P.*, Denholm, B.*, Fabre, C.*, Gu, W.*, Linneweber, G.*, Prieto-Godino L.*, Urbancic V.*, Zwart, M.*, Miguel-Aliaga, I.* (2011) Why flies? Inexpensive public engagement exercises to explain the value of basic biomedical research on Drosophila melanogaster. Advances in Physiology Education (in press)
  • Bunt, S.*, Denholm, B*. and Skaer, H. (2011) Characterization of the Drosophila procollagen lysyl hydroxylase dPlod. Gene Expression Patterns 11(1-2): 72-8
  • Denholm, B., and Skaer, H. (2009) Bringing together components of the fly renal system. Current Opinions in Genetics and Development 19(5):526-32
  • Weavers, H, Prieto-Sánchez, S, Grawe, F, Garcia-López, A, Artero, R, Wilsch-Bräuninger, M, Ruiz-Gómez, M, Skaer, H, Denholm, B. (2009). The insect nephrocyte is a podocyte-like cell with a filtration slit diaphragm. Nature 457: 322-326
  • Simões S,  Denholm B, Sotillos S, Martin P, Skaer H, Castelli-Gair Hombría J, and Jacinto A. (2006). Compartmentalization of Rho regulators directs cell invagination during tissue morphogenesis. Development 133(21) 4257-67
  • Denholm B, Brown S, Ray RP, Ruiz-Gomez M, Skaer H, Hombria JC. (2005). crossveinless-c is a RhoGAP required for actin reorganisation during morphogenesis. Development 132(10):2389-400
  • Jung AC, Denholm B, Skaer H, Affolter M. (2005). Renal tubule development in Drosophila: a closer look at the cellular level. J Am Soc Nephrol. 16(2):322-8
  • Denholm, B. and Skaer, H. (2005). Development of Malpighian tubules in insects. In Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science, Vol 2 (ed. L.I. Gilbert, S. Gill and K. Iatrou), pp. 291-314. Oxford, UK: Elsevier.
  • Denholm B, Skaer H. (2003). Tubulogenesis: a role for the apical extracellular matrix? Current Biology. 13(23):R909-11.
  • Denholm B*, Sudarsan V*, Pasalodos-Sanchez S, Artero R, Lawrence P, Maddrell S, Baylies M, Skaer H. (2003). Dual origin of the renal tubules in Drosophila: mesodermal cells integrate and polarize to establish secretory function. Current Biology.13(12):1052-7.

    • * denotes equal contribution

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