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WEIL LAB

Our work aims to address the fundamental, and fascinating, question of how a single cell becomes a fully functioning organism. We want to understand the mechanisms that underpin the spatial and temporal coordination of egg and early embryo development. We have a particular interest in the role of biomolecular condensates in the regulation of mRNAs at these stages.

CURRENT PROJECTS

I am always interested in discussing research collaborations and supporting well qualified postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates. 

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Translational regulation via bimolecular condensates

Global content and functional analysis of in vivo macromolecular complexes

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Aging and nutritional stress impacts on cellular processes

Please contact me to discuss these projects or other research ideas.

RESEARCH

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Regulating protein expression is fundamental to the life of any cell. One way this can be done is through mRNA association with biomolecular condensates, membrane-less compartments that function as reaction crucibles and sub-cellular organisational hubs. Condensates have been shown to be involved in effectively all aspects of biology, including development, neurobiology, and pathogenesis, and are a promising target for new therapeutic innovation. However, to inform future drug discovery, an in vivo molecular understanding of condensates is required. 
 
In early animal development, condensates are important in the patterning of embryonic axes, formation of neuronal networks, and movement of cells. We test the formation and function of a conserved biomolecular condensate, processing bodies (P Bodies), in Drosophila exploiting their advantages for sophisticated genetics and live imaging.  Research in fruit flies has identified thousands of genes with human homologues and has provided key insights into developmental pathways, oncology, neurobiology and immunology. 
 
Our use of the egg chamber and early embryo has the experimental benefits of being an in vivo developing system, allowing for a controllable switch at egg activation, ease of physical manipulation, and providing ample material for experimentation. Recently, we have shown that P bodies in the mature Drosophila egg are primarily regulated by structurally distinct proteins and weak multivalent interactions. In vivo, P body integrity is controlled through an arrested physical state which is critical for the storage of mRNAs. 
 
Overall, we aim to fully elucidate the formation, maintenance and dynamics of P bodies and how these condensates control mRNA metabolism. This work will shed light on the fundamental mechanisms controlling cellular protein production and inform medical advancements.

RECENT PAPERS

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F-ACTIN COORDINATES SPINDLE MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION IN DROSOPHILA MEIOSIS

Wood B., Shi X., and Weil T.T.

PLOS Genetics (2024)

RELATING THE BIOGENESIS AND FUNCTION OF P BODIES IN DROSOPHILA TO HUMAN DISEASE

Wilby E. and Weil T.T.

Genes 14(9). (2023)

ADAPTABLE P BODY PHYSICAL STATES DIFFERENTIALLY REGULATE BICOID MRNA STORAGE DURING EARLY DROSOPHILA DEVELOPMENT

Sankaranarayanan M., Emenecker R.J., Wilby E.,  Jahnel M., Trussina  I. R. E., Wayland M., Alberti S., Holehouse A.S., Weil T.T.

Developmental Cell 56. (2021)

OSMOLARITY-REGULATED SWELLING INITIATES EGG ACTIVATION IN DROSOPHILA

York-Andersen A.H., Wood B.W., Wilby E.L., Berry A.S., Weil T.T. 

Open Biol. 11: 210067. (2021)

ALL PAPERS

PEOPLE

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LAB MEMBERS

ALL ARE WELCOME

Adapted from sammykatta.com/

TIM WEIL

Professor 
Group Leader

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CONTACT US

Thanks for your interest in our research. Get in touch with us with any questions or comments.

Department of Zoology

Downing Street

Cambridge CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom

+44 (0)1223 765391

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