A. J. Hughes

Reduced Filaggrin expression induces dysregulated intracellular signalling in atopic eczema

This study identifies dysregulated BMP and ERK1/2/AKT signaling in FLG-deficient keratinocytes and AE biopsies, linking FLG loss to altered desmosomal proteins and suggesting a SMAD1/Filaggrin/AKT therapeutic target.

Measurement of adhesion and traction of cells at high yield (MATCHY) reveals an energetic ratchet driving nephron condensation

MATCHY quantifies cell adhesion and traction in primary kidney cells, revealing an energetic ratchet mechanism driving nephron condensation during differentiation.

Rho/ROCK activity tunes cell compartment segregation and differentiation in nephron-forming niches

This study shows that Rho/ROCK inhibition enhances mixing between nephron progenitor and stromal cells, increasing nephrogenesis in kidney organoids.

Highly-parallel production of designer organoids by mosaic patterning of progenitors

This paper develops a method to produce designer organoids with controlled progenitor ratios and morphology using DNA velcro cell patterning.

Enhancing single-cell western blotting sensitivity using diffusive analyte blotting and antibody conjugate amplification

This paper improves single-cell western blotting sensitivity using nitrocellulose blotting and enzyme-antibody conjugates, achieving a 520-fold improvement in limit of detection.

Independent control over cell patterning and adhesion on hydrogel substrates for tissue interface mechanobiology

This paper develops a method to independently control cell patterning and adhesion on hydrogels to study tissue interfaces and mechanobiology.

Tubule jamming in the developing mouse kidney creates cyclical mechanical stresses in nephron-forming niches

The paper investigates how crowding in developing mouse kidney tubules creates mechanical stresses in nephron-forming niches, revealing how spatial constraints influence branching and nephron formation.

Kinomorphs: Shape-shifting tissues for developmental engineering

This paper introduces kinomorphs, dynamic scaffolds that guide large-scale tissue assembly through programmed shape changes, enabling the creation of structurally mature epithelial tubules.

Tissue Folding by Mechanical Compaction of the Mesenchyme

This study shows mechanical compaction of mesenchyme drives tissue folding in vitro through ECM strain and collagen alignment, without genetic engineering.