Overview
The Sherwood lab is interested in understanding mechanisms that drive dynamic cellular behaviors underlying normal development and human disease. We study 1) How cells invade into tissues, 2) How stem cells interact with their niches, and 3) How cells control and interact with extracellular matrix. Our lab primarily examines C. elegans development, in which simple cellular complexity, amenability to genetics/genomics/transgenics/molecular perturbations, and evolutionary comparisons facilitates powerful insights. One particular emphasis of our work is live-cell imaging, where we watch cellular behaviors and cell-extracellular matrix interactions unfold in real-time to understand their regulation and function. Cell invasion, stem cell regulation, and cell-matrix interactions are fundamental to development, regeneration, cancer, and aging. Our work aims to advance our understanding of these fascinating processes and positively influence human health.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Biology
·
2017 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Chair of the Department of Biology
·
2018 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor in Cell Biology
·
2016 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
·
2024 - Present
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2019 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Co-Director of the Duke Regeneration Center
·
2021 - Present
Duke Regeneration Center,
Basic Science Departments
Recent Publications
A collagen IV fluorophore knock-in toolkit reveals trimer diversity in C. elegans basement membranes.
Journal Article The Journal of cell biology · June 2025 The type IV collagen triple helix, composed of three ⍺-chains, is a core basement membrane (BM) component that assembles into a network within BMs. Endogenous tagging of all ⍺-chains with genetically encoded fluorophores has remained elusive, limiting our ... Full text CiteThe actin protrusion deforms the nucleus during invasion through basement membrane.
Preprint · March 14, 2025 Full text Link to item CiteA career as a biologist-a lifelong morphogenetic process.
Journal Article Developmental biology · March 2025 How life emerged, how species diversify and interact, how cells work individually and collectively, and how a single cell gives rise to the trillions that constitute us all, are some of life's most profound questions. For the last 20 years, I've been a pro ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Elucidating a conserved adhesion system for connecting adjacent tissues
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Manchester · 2024 - 2032The Duke Preparing Research scholars In bioMEdical sciences (PRIME): Cancer Research Program
ResearchPreceptor · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2023 - 2028Duke Preparing Research Scholars in Biomedical Sciences- Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University ·
1997
Ph.D.
Wesleyan University ·
1990
B.A.