Prof. Macabenta's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying collective cell behavior leading up to organogenesis.
Research Description
Through a combination of confocal microscopy and the vast array of genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology tools available to the Drosophila fruit fly model system, my group seeks to uncover the gene regulatory networks that control cell fitness determination, intercellular communication, and collective migration leading up to the assembly of the larval midgut muscles.
Students learn:
- Genetics techniques (fly crosses, genetic screens, basic genomics)
- Cell biology techniques (immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization)
- Microscopy (Confocal microscopy, light and fluorescence microscopy)
- Molecular biology techniques (PCR, bacterial transformation, molecular cloning)
- Imaging data analysis and quantification
Courses
BIO 221/221L Molecular Biology/Molecular Biology Laboratory
BIO290 Research Methods in Biology
BIO 320/320L Developmental Biology/Developmental Biology Laboratory
BIO 193/293/393 Directed Research
Student Research Opportunities
The Macabenta Lab is looking for undergraduate student researchers who are interested in applying an interdisciplinary approach to uncover mechanisms in organogenesis and developmental genetics. Prior experience in research is not required. Please contact me via email and visit the lab website to learn more about our research and projects and to set up a meeting. It will also be helpful if you fill out the following interest form prior to our discussion (Note: SA国际传媒 email required):
Select Publications
* Indicates equal contribution. u Indicates undergraduate researcher.
1. Ramachandran R, Macabenta F, Bettencourt G*u, Feng S*u. From Microbes to Molecules: Synthetic Biology Approaches for Advanced Materials Design. BioChem. 2025: 5(2), 12. Review.
2. Sun J, Durmaz AD, Babu A, Macabenta F, Stathopoulos A. Two sequential gene expression programs bridged by cell division support long-distance collective cell migration. Development. 2024 Apr 22:dev-202262.
3. Macabenta F, Sun H-Tu, Stathopoulos A. BMP-gated cell-cycle progression drives anoikis during mesenchymal collective migration. Developmental Cell. 2022: 57(14): P1683-1693. Epub 15 June, 2022.
4. Sun J, Macabenta F, 脕kos Z, and Stathopoulos A. Collective Migrations of Drosophila Embryonic Trunk and Caudal Mesoderm-Derived Muscle Precursor Cells. Genetics. 2020 June 1; vol. 215 no. 2 297-322. Flybook chapter.
5. Macabenta F and Stathopoulos A. Sticking to a plan: adhesion and signaling control spatial organization of cells within migrating collectives. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2019 August 09; 57(39-46). Review.
6. Macabenta F and Stathopoulos A. Migrating cells control morphogenesis of substratum serving as track to promote directional movement of the collective. Development. 2019 July 16; 146: dev177295.
7. Bae YK, Macabenta F*, Curtis HL*, and Stathopoulos A. Comparative analysis of gene expression profiles for several migrating cell types identifies cell migration regulators. Mechanisms of Development. 2017 December; 148 (40-55).
8. *Stepanik V, *Dunipace L, Bae Y-K, Macabenta F, Sun J, Trisnadi N, and Stathopoulos A. The migrations of Drosophila muscle founders and primordial germ cells are interdependent. Development. 2016 September 1; 143: 3206-3215
9. Macabenta FD, Jensen AG, Cheng YS, Kramer JJ, Kramer SG. Frazzled/DCC facilitates cardiac cell outgrowth and attachment during Drosophila dorsal vessel formation. Dev Biol. 2013 Aug 15;380(2):233-42.