Summary of the science
The MAPK pathway is a network of signals that transmits information from outside the cell to inside the cell, providing the cell's DNA with important information. These signals can cause the cell to, for example, turn into a specific type of cell, or divide. Under normal experimental conditions, it is difficult to investigate these processes over time and in space, but the Cellular Dynamics lab uses a variety of approaches to do just that. For example, they can use light to turn on specific networks and to control which cells are turned on and off at one specific time.
About the research
The Cellular Dynamics lab investigates spatio-temporal signalling, involved in cell morphogenesis and cell fate decisions. These processes are dynamic and are closely regulated by time and space - something that is currently hard to replicate in research. However, the Cellular Dynamics lab has developed new techniques to address this limitation (like applying optogenetics), allowing them to study signalling networks involved in cell migration, neuronal differentiation and cell fate, such as the MAPK network, in more detail.
About the illustration
We wanted to adapt a figure image from one of their papers, where they used optogenetics to activate the MAPK pathway in single cells. Only the cells that are green were 'turned on'. To highlight the initial extracellular signal involving receptors on the surface of the cells, we decided to add concentric circles around these proteins. These receptors are responsible for relaying the signal into the cell, hence the network and nodes represented within each cell.