Professor Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez

Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez

Associate Professor


Campus

St. George (downtown)

CSB Appointment

Cross

Research Areas

Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Quantitative Biology /Modelling

Education

Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco 2006
B.Sc. Universidad Autonoma, Madrid, Spain 2000

Titles and Honors

Canada Research Chair in Quantitative Cell Biology and Morphogenesis

Primary Undergraduate Department

Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME)

Graduate Programs

Cell & Systems Biology
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Research Description

Cytoskeletal dynamics and mechanical forces in the assembly and repair of epithelial tissues.


Contact Information

Office Phone: 416-978-7368
Office: MaRS 2 - West Tower, 1411
Lab Phone: 416-978-5911
Email

Mailing Address

MaRS 2 – West Tower
661 University Avenue, 14th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1
Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
164 College St.
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9
Canada

Visit lab’s website


Recent News

Science Rendezvous was a huge success for CSB!

On Saturday, May 13th, St George Street was shut down in front of the Ramsay Wright Building for Science Rendezvous 2023. CSB was out in force to…

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Congratulations to CSB’s Graduate Student Award Recipients!

Congratulations to our Graduate Students who earned recognition for their accomplishments at our Graduate Student Awards on December 19th, 2022!…

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Renewed Canada Research Chair for Prof Fernandez-Gonzalez

Congratulations to Professor Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez on the renewal of his tier two Canada Research Chair in quantitative cell biology and…

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Publications

Laser ablation to investigate cell and tissue mechanics in vivo. Zulueta-Coarasa T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R. Integrative Mechanobiology: Micro and Nano Techniques in Cell Mechanobiology (edited by Y Sun, DH Kim and C Simmons). Cambridge University Press. 2015.

 

 

2022

The α-Catenin mechanosensing M region is required for cell adhesion during tissue morphogenesis

Sheppard L, Green DG, Lerchbaumer G, Rothenberg KE, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Tepass U
2022, Journal of Cell Biology, 10.1083/jcb.202108091

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2021

The recycling endosome protein Rab25 coordinates collective cell movements in the zebrafish surface epithelium.

Willoughby PM, Allen M, Yu J, Korytnikov R, Chen T, Liu Y, So I, Macpherson N, Mitchell JA, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Bruce AE
2021, eLife, 10, 33755014

p38-mediated cell growth and survival drive rapid embryonic wound repair

Scepanovic G, Hunter MV, Kafri R, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2021, Cell Reports, 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109874

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2020

REEP5 depletion causes sarco-endoplasmic reticulum vacuolization and cardiac functional defects

Lee S, Hadipour-Lakmehsari S, Murthy HR, Gibb N, Miyake T, Teng ACT, Cosme J, Yu JC, Moon M, Lim S, Wong V, Liu P, Billia F, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Stagljar I, Sharma P, Kislinger T, Scott IC, Gramolini AO
2020, Nature Communications, 10.1038/s41467-019-14143-9

DDR1 (Discoidin Domain Receptor-1)-RhoA (Ras Homolog Family Member A) Axis Senses Matrix Stiffness to Promote Vascular Calcification

Ngai D, Lino M, Rothenberg KE, Simmons CA, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Bendeck MP
2020, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 10.1161/ATVBAHA.120.314697

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2019

Forceful closure: cytoskeletal networks in embryonic wound repair

Rothenberg KE, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Bement W
2019, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 10.1091/mbc.E18-04-0248

The Crk adapter protein is essential for Drosophila embryogenesis, where it regulates multiple actin-dependent morphogenic events

Spracklen AJ, Thornton-Kolbe EM, Bonner AN, Florea A, Compton PJ, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Peifer M, Fehon R
2019, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 10.1091/mbc.E19-05-0302

Actin and myosin dynamics are independent during Drosophila embryonic wound repair

Kobb AB, Rothenberg KE, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Fehon R
2019, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 10.1091/mbc.E18-11-0703

Role of α-Catenin and its mechanosensing properties in regulating Hippo/YAP-dependent tissue growth

Peifer M, Sarpal R, Yan V, Kazakova L, Sheppard L, Yu JC, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Tepass U
2019, PLOS Genetics, 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008454

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2018

Collision of Expanding Actin Caps with Actomyosin Borders for Cortical Bending and Mitotic Rounding in a Syncytium

Zhang Y, Yu JC, Jiang T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Harris TJ
2018, Developmental Cell, 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.04.024

Dynamic force patterns promote collective cell movements during embryonic wound repair

Zulueta-Coarasa T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2018, Nature Physics, 10.1038/s41567-018-0111-2

Modeling cell intercalation during Drosophila germband extension

Siang LC, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Feng JJ
2018, Physical Biology, 10.1088/1478-3975/aad865

Oxidative Stress Orchestrates Cell Polarity to Promote Embryonic Wound Healing

Hunter MV, Willoughby PM, Bruce AE, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2018, Developmental Cell, 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.10.013

Force-dependent allostery of the α-catenin actin-binding domain controls adherens junction dynamics and functions

Ishiyama N, Sarpal R, Wood MN, Barrick SK, Nishikawa T, Hayashi H, Kobb AB, Flozak AS, Yemelyanov A, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Yonemura S, Leckband DE, Gottardi CJ, Tepass U, Ikura M
2018, Nature Communications, 10.1038/s41467-018-07481-7

Oriented Cell Division: The Pull of the Pole

Scepanovic G, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2018, Developmental Cell, 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.11.040

Oxidative Stress Orchestrates Cell Polarity to Promote Embryonic Wound Healing

Hunter MV, Willoughby PM, Bruce AE, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2018, Developmental Cell, 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.10.013

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2017

Tension (re)builds: Biophysical mechanisms of embryonic wound repair

Zulueta-Coarasa T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2017, Mechanisms of Development, 10.1016/j.mod.2016.11.004

Tension regulates myosin dynamics duringDrosophilaembryonic wound repair

Kobb AB, Zulueta-Coarasa T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2017, Journal of Cell Science, 10.1242/jcs.196139

Automated cell tracking identifies mechanically oriented cell divisions duringDrosophilaaxis elongation

Wang MFZ, Hunter MV, Wang G, McFaul C, Yip CM, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2017, Development, 10.1242/dev.141473

Cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix adhesions cooperate to organize actomyosin networks and maintain force transmission during dorsal closure

Goodwin K, Lostchuck EE, Cramb KML, Zulueta-Coarasa T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Tanentzapf G, Fehon R
2017, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 10.1091/mbc.E17-01-0033

Myosin II promotes the anisotropic loss of the apical domain during Drosophila neuroblast ingression

Tepass U, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Wang MF, Oh Y, Simões S
2017, Journal of Cell Biology, 10.1083/jcb.201608038

Shape of my heart: Cell-cell adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics during Drosophila cardiac morphogenesis

McFaul CM, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2017, Experimental Cell Research, 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.03.057

An Actomyosin-Arf-GEF Negative Feedback Loop for Tissue Elongation under Stress

West JJ, Zulueta-Coarasa T, Maier JA, Lee DM, Bruce AE, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Harris TJ
2017, Current Biology, 10.1016/j.cub.2017.06.038

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2016

Local mechanical forces promote polarized junctional assembly and axis elongation in Drosophila

Yu JC, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2016, eLife, 10.7554/eLife.10757

Basal Cell-Extracellular Matrix Adhesion Regulates Force Transmission during Tissue Morphogenesis

Goodwin K, Ellis S, Lostchuck E, Zulueta-Coarasa T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Tanentzapf G
2016, Developmental Cell, 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.11.003

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2015

An in vitro model of tissue boundary formation for dissecting the contribution of different boundary forming mechanisms

Javaherian S, D\'Arcangelo E, Slater B, Zulueta-Coarasa T, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, McGuigan AP
2015, Integrative Biology, 10.1039/c4ib00272e

Anisotropic stress orients remodelling of mammalian limb bud ectoderm

Lau K, Tao H, Liu H, Wen J, Sturgeon K, Sorfazlian N, Lazic S, Burrows JTA, Wong MD, Li D, Deimling S, Ciruna B, Scott I, Simmons C, Henkelman RM, Williams T, Hadjantonakis A, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Sun Y, Hopyan S
2015, Nature Cell Biology, 10.1038/ncb3156

Polarized E-cadherin endocytosis directs actomyosin remodeling during embryonic wound repair

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Harris TJ, Lee DM, Hunter MV
2015, Journal of Cell Biology, 10.1083/jcb.201501076

A biomechanical model for cell polarization and intercalation duringDrosophilagermband extension

Lan H, Wang Q, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Feng JJ
2015, Physical Biology, 10.1088/1478-3975/12/5/056011

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2014

Automated multidimensional image analysis reveals a role for Abl in embryonic wound repair

Zulueta-Coarasa T, Tamada M, Lee EJ, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2014, Development (Cambridge, England), 141, 2901-11, 24948602

Automated multidimensional image analysis reveals a role for Abl in embryonic wound repair

Zulueta-Coarasa T, Tamada M, Lee EJ, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2014, Development, 10.1242/dev.106898

A force to be reckoned with

Hunter MV, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2014, Nature Physics, 10.1038/nphys3074

Quantitative Image Analysis of Cell Behavior and Molecular Dynamics During Tissue Morphogenesis

Leung CYB, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2014, , 10.1007/978-1-4939-1164-6_7

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2013

Gastrulation: cell polarity comes full circle

Hunter MV, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2013, Current biology : CB, 23, R845-8, 24070446

Wounded cells drive rapid epidermal repair in the early Drosophila embryo

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA
2013, Molecular biology of the cell, 24, 3227-37, 23985320

Wounded cells drive rapid epidermal repair in the early Drosophila embryo

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA, Fehon R
2013, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 10.1091/mbc.E13-05-0228

Gastrulation: Cell Polarity Comes Full Circle

Hunter M, Fernandez-Gonzalez R
2013, Current Biology, 10.1016/j.cub.2013.08.003

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2012

Feeling the squeeze: live-cell extrusion limits cell density in epithelia

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA
2012, Cell, 149, 965-7, 22632965

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2011

Oscillatory behaviors and hierarchical assembly of contractile structures in intercalating cells

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA
2011, Physical biology, 8, 045005, 21750365

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2010

3D reconstruction of histological sections: Application to mammary gland tissue

Arganda-Carreras I, Fernández-González R, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Ortiz-De-Solorzano C
2010, Microscopy research and technique, 73, 1019-29, 20232465

Rho-kinase directs Bazooka/Par-3 planar polarity during Drosophila axis elongation

Simões Sde M, Blankenship JT, Weitz O, Farrell DL, Tamada M, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA
2010, Developmental cell, 19, 377-88, 20833361

Integration of contractile forces during tissue invagination

Martin AC, Gelbart M, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Kaschube M, Wieschaus EF
2010, The Journal of cell biology, 188, 735-49, 20194639

Use of stem cell markers in dissociated mammary populations

Shelton DN, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Illa-Bochaca I, Ortiz-de-Solorzano C, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Welm BE
2010, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 621, 49-55, 20405358

Limiting-dilution transplantation assays in mammary stem cell studies

Illa-Bochaca I, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Shelton DN, Welm BE, Ortiz-de-Solorzano C, Barcellos-Hoff MH
2010, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 621, 29-47, 20405357

In situ analysis of cell populations: long-term label-retaining cells

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Illa-Bochaca I, Shelton DN, Welm BE, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Ortiz-de-Solorzano C
2010, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 621, 1-28, 20405356

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2009

Cell mechanics and feedback regulation of actomyosin networks

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA
2009, Science signaling, 2, pe78, 20009102

Myosin II dynamics are regulated by tension in intercalating cells

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Simoes Sde M, Röper JC, Eaton S, Zallen JA
2009, Developmental cell, 17, 736-43, 19879198

Q&A: quantitative approaches to planar polarity and tissue organization

Marcinkevicius E, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA
2009, Journal of biology, 8, 103, 20064196

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2008

Mapping mammary gland architecture using multi-scale in situ analysis

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Illa-Bochaca I, Welm BE, Fleisch MC, Werb Z, Ortiz-de-Solorzano C, Barcellos-Hoff MH
2009, Integrative biology : quantitative biosciences from nano to macro, 1, 80-9, 20023794

Epithelial organization: may the force be with you

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Zallen JA
2008, Current biology : CB, 18, R163-5, 18302918

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2006

Quantitative in vivo microscopy: the return from the ‘omics’

Fernández-González R, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Ortiz-de-Solorzano C
2006, Current opinion in biotechnology, 17, 501-10, 16899361

High-throughput analysis of multispectral images of breast cancer tissue

Adiga U, Malladi R, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Ortiz de Solorzano C
2006, IEEE transactions on image processing : a publication of the IEEE Signal Processing Society, 15, 2259-68, 16900681

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2005

A tool for the quantitative spatial analysis of complex cellular systems

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Ortiz-de-Solórzano C
2005, IEEE transactions on image processing : a publication of the IEEE Signal Processing Society, 14, 1300-13, 16190466

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2004

Quantitative image analysis in mammary gland biology

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Ortiz-de-Solórzano C
2004, Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia, 9, 343-59, 15838604

A tool for the quantitative spatial analysis of mammary gland epithelium

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, de Solorzano CO
2004, Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference, 2, 1549-52, 17271993

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2002

System for combined three-dimensional morphological and molecular analysis of thick tissue specimens

Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Jones A, Garcia-Rodriguez E, Chen PY, Idica A, Lockett SJ, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Ortiz-De-Solorzano C
2002, Microscopy research and technique, 59, 522-30, 12467029

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