Embryonic Cell Bioimaging – Esteban Hoijman

Embryonic Cell Bioimaging Lab

https://www.embryobioimaging.com/

The dynamic nature of cells is key for establishing tissue function. Because many cellular activities are shaped by interactions with their mechanical, chemical, or biological environment, fully understanding cell behavior and its biomedical implications requires studying cells within their natural context.
We study dynamic processes across biological scales, from molecules to tissues, using quantitative live imaging and transcriptomics in zebrafish, mouse, and human embryos. Early embryos are among the most plastic biological systems, capable of adapting to major perturbations while still developing successfully. Our lab is dedicated to uncovering the mechanisms that drive this remarkable robustness, with a particular focus on protective processes that preserve the environment in which embryonic cells develop. One such mechanism is phagocytosis, which we have recently shown is carried out by epithelial cells in early embryos. This process contributes to the correction of internal developmental errors (Hoijman et al., Nature 2021) and the elimination of pathogens (Roncero-Carol et al., Cell Host & Microbe 2025, in press), marking the onset of innate immune functions.
We pursue two central research goals: 1) to investigate the interplay between immune and developmental programs during early embryogenesis, and 2) to elucidate how epithelial tissues carry out phagocytic functions, which are also active in adult organs. We hope our work contributes to uncovering the fundamental cellular behaviors that drive development, maintain homeostasis, and contribute to disease.