The ordered structure of life... ... is certainly one of the great wonders in nature. Its beauty is apparent at all levels of observation using either the naked eye, various microscopic techniques or refined biophysical detection methods. Our interests and research efforts are motivated by the tenet that the morphogenesis of these highly ordered structures is dictated by and reflects functions that are needed to sustain and shape life. Our teaching... ....  encompasses all aspects of morphology ranging from gross to microscopic anatomy and also includes cell biology. In addition to curricular teaching of medical students we offer specialized interdisciplinary classes on up-to-date lab techniques in cell, molecular and developmental biology. Our research... ... focuses on the involvement of proteins in generating defined cellular subdomains which serve as distinct platforms to carry out specialized functions. Our goal is to understand these structure-function relationships in living and developing organisms and their relevance for disease. We use high resolution live cell imaging techniques in conjunction with transgenic cells and model organisms to achieve this aim.