Professor Alpha Yap
Professor

Alpha Yap

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62013

Background

My group studies the role of cadherin cell adhesion molecules in morphogenesis and tumor development. E-cadherin is a key mediator of cell-cell recognition. It participates in tissue patterning and its dysfunction contributes to tumor progression and invasion.

Associate Professor Yap is the group leader for Cadherin cell adhesion molecules, Epithelial morphogenesis & Cell locomotion research at the IMB.

Availability

Professor Alpha Yap is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Oncology and carcinogenesis

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Medical Science, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Medicine Surgery, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Research interests

  • Cadherin cell adhesion molecules, Epithelial morphogenesis & Cell locomotion

    We seek to understand the cellular basis of cadherin recognition, and how this controls cell movement and organisation. We are studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which cadherin cell adhesion molecules mediate cell-cell recognition. Our current work builds on two recent discoveries made by my lab. Firstly, we found that E-cadherin, the principal cadherin molecule found in epithelial tissues, functions as an adhesion-activated cell signaling receptor. In particular, upon adhesion E-cadherin activates signaling via the small GTPase, Rac, and the lipid kinase PI3-kinase. Finally, an important potential target of this signaling receptor is the Arp2/3 protein complex, a protein machine that nucleates assembly of actin filaments. We were the first to discover that E-cadherin interacts with the Arp2/3 complex to mark sites for actin assembly within cells. We are now exploring the general hypothesis that cadherin-activated signaling controls the subcellular localization and activity of Arp2/3 to modulate cell shape changes and motility in response to productive cell-cell recognition.

Search Professor Alpha Yap’s works on UQ eSpace

293 works between 1987 and 2025
All (293) Journal Article (212) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (24) Other Outputs (51)

201 - 220 of 293 works

2009

Journal Article

Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions

Ren, G, Crampton, M. S. and Yap, A. S. (2009). Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton, 66 (10), 865-873. doi: 10.1002/cm.20380

Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions

2009

Conference Publication

Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions

Ren, Gang, Crampton, Matthew S. and Yap, Alpha S. (2009). Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions. doi: 10.1002/cm.20380

Cortactin: Coordinating adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton at cellular protrusions

2009

Journal Article

Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase signalling supports cell height in established epithelial monolayers

Jeanes, Angela, Smutny, Michael, Leerberg, Joanne M. and Yap, Alpha S. (2009). Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase signalling supports cell height in established epithelial monolayers. Journal of Molecular Histology, 40 (5-6), 395-405. doi: 10.1007/s10735-010-9253-y

Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase signalling supports cell height in established epithelial monolayers

2009

Journal Article

Cadherin adhesion receptors orient the mitotic spindle during symmetric cell division in mammalian epithelia

den Elzen, N, Buttery, C. V., Maddugoda, M. P., Ren, G and Yap, A. S. (2009). Cadherin adhesion receptors orient the mitotic spindle during symmetric cell division in mammalian epithelia. Molecular Biology of The Cell, 20 (16), 3740-3750. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E09-01-0023

Cadherin adhesion receptors orient the mitotic spindle during symmetric cell division in mammalian epithelia

2009

Journal Article

Cortactin is a functional target of E-cadherin-activated Src family kinases in MCF7 epithelial monolayers

Ren, Gang, Helwani, Falak M., Verma, Suzie, McLachlan, Robert W., Weed, Scott A. and Yap, Alpha S. (2009). Cortactin is a functional target of E-cadherin-activated Src family kinases in MCF7 epithelial monolayers. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (28), 18913-18922. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.000307

Cortactin is a functional target of E-cadherin-activated Src family kinases in MCF7 epithelial monolayers

2009

Journal Article

Touch, grasp, deliver and control: functional cross-talk between microtubules and cell adhesions

Akhmanova, A, Stehbens, S. J and Yap, Alpha S.K. (2009). Touch, grasp, deliver and control: functional cross-talk between microtubules and cell adhesions. Traffic, 10 (3), 268-274. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2008.00869.x

Touch, grasp, deliver and control: functional cross-talk between microtubules and cell adhesions

2009

Journal Article

Microtubules and cadherins: a neglected partnership

Stehbens, S. J., Akhmanova, A and Yap, A. S. (2009). Microtubules and cadherins: a neglected partnership. Frontiers In Bioscience, 14 (14), 3159-3167. doi: 10.2741/3442

Microtubules and cadherins: a neglected partnership

2008

Journal Article

Organizing Junctions at the Cell-Cell Interface

Akhmanova, A. and Yap, A. S. (2008). Organizing Junctions at the Cell-Cell Interface. Cell, 135 (5), 791-793. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.11.002

Organizing Junctions at the Cell-Cell Interface

2008

Journal Article

Cadherins and cancer: how does cadherin dysfunction promote tumor progression?

Jeanes, A., Gottardi, C. J. and Yap, A. S. (2008). Cadherins and cancer: how does cadherin dysfunction promote tumor progression?. Oncogene, 27 (55), 6920-6929. doi: 10.1038/onc.2008.343

Cadherins and cancer: how does cadherin dysfunction promote tumor progression?

2008

Journal Article

Epstein-Barr Virus Associated modulation of Wnt pathway is not dependent on latent membrane Protein-1

Webb, Natasha, Connolly, Geoff, Tellman, Judy, Yap, Alpha S. and Khanna, Rajiv (2008). Epstein-Barr Virus Associated modulation of Wnt pathway is not dependent on latent membrane Protein-1. PLoS One, 3 (9) e3254, e3254.1-e3254.8. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003254

Epstein-Barr Virus Associated modulation of Wnt pathway is not dependent on latent membrane Protein-1

2008

Journal Article

Cell-Cell Contact: Cooperating Clusters of Actin and Cadherin

Kovacs, E. M. and Yap, A. S. (2008). Cell-Cell Contact: Cooperating Clusters of Actin and Cadherin. Current Biology, 18 (15), R667-R669. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2008.06.024

Cell-Cell Contact: Cooperating Clusters of Actin and Cadherin

2008

Journal Article

Gab2 and Src co-operate in human mammary epithelial cells to promote growth factor independence and disruption of acinar morphogenesis

Bennett, H. L., Brummer, T., Jeanes, A., Yap, A. S. and Daly, R. J. (2008). Gab2 and Src co-operate in human mammary epithelial cells to promote growth factor independence and disruption of acinar morphogenesis. Oncogene, 27 (19), 2693-2704. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210928

Gab2 and Src co-operate in human mammary epithelial cells to promote growth factor independence and disruption of acinar morphogenesis

2007

Journal Article

E-Cadherin Adhesion Activates c-Src Signaling at Cell-Cell contacts

McLachlan, R. W., Kraemer, A., Helwani, F. M., Kovacs, E. M. and Yap, Alpha S. K. (2007). E-Cadherin Adhesion Activates c-Src Signaling at Cell-Cell contacts. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 18 (8), 3214-3223. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E06-12-1154

E-Cadherin Adhesion Activates c-Src Signaling at Cell-Cell contacts

2007

Journal Article

Myosin VI and vinculin cooperate during the morphogenesis of cadherin cell-cell contacts in mammalian epithelial cells

Maddugoda, M. P., Crampton, M. S., Shewan, A. M. and Yap, A. S. K. (2007). Myosin VI and vinculin cooperate during the morphogenesis of cadherin cell-cell contacts in mammalian epithelial cells. Journal of Cell Biology, 178 (3), 529-540. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200612042

Myosin VI and vinculin cooperate during the morphogenesis of cadherin cell-cell contacts in mammalian epithelial cells

2007

Journal Article

Not so simple: the complexity of phosphotyrosine signaling at cadherin adhesive contacts

McLachlan, R. W. and Yap, Alpha S.K. (2007). Not so simple: the complexity of phosphotyrosine signaling at cadherin adhesive contacts. Journal of Molecular Medicine, 85 (6), 545-554. doi: 10.1007/s00109-007-0198-x

Not so simple: the complexity of phosphotyrosine signaling at cadherin adhesive contacts

2007

Journal Article

Rac is a dominant regulator of cadherin-directed actin assembly that is activated by adhesive ligation independently of Tiam1

Kraemer, Astrid, Goodwin, Marita, Verma, Suzie, Yap, Alpha S. and Ali, Radiya G. (2007). Rac is a dominant regulator of cadherin-directed actin assembly that is activated by adhesive ligation independently of Tiam1. American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology, 292 (3), C1061-C1069. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00073.2006

Rac is a dominant regulator of cadherin-directed actin assembly that is activated by adhesive ligation independently of Tiam1

2007

Journal Article

Pulsatile contractility of actomyosin networks organizes the cellular cortex at lateral cadherin junctions

Wu, Selwin K., Budnar, Srikanth, Yap, Alpha S. and Gomez, Guillermo A. (2007). Pulsatile contractility of actomyosin networks organizes the cellular cortex at lateral cadherin junctions. European Journal of Cell Biology, 93 (10-12), 396-404. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2014.09.001

Pulsatile contractility of actomyosin networks organizes the cellular cortex at lateral cadherin junctions

2007

Journal Article

Making and breaking contacts: the cellular biology of cadherin regulation

Yap, A. S. K., Crampton, M. S. and Hardin, J. (2007). Making and breaking contacts: the cellular biology of cadherin regulation. Current Opinion in Cell Biology, 19 (5), 508-514. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2007.09.008

Making and breaking contacts: the cellular biology of cadherin regulation

2007

Journal Article

Taking Stock: The many surprising lives of p120-catenins

Yap, A. S. K. and Daniel, M. (2007). Taking Stock: The many surprising lives of p120-catenins. BBA: Molecular Cell Research, 1773 (1), 1-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2006.10.004

Taking Stock: The many surprising lives of p120-catenins

2006

Journal Article

Cell-to-cell contact and extracellular matrix

Schwartz, Martin A. and Yap, Alpha S. (2006). Cell-to-cell contact and extracellular matrix. Current Opinion In Cell Biology, 18 (5), 461-462. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2006.08.013

Cell-to-cell contact and extracellular matrix

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Epithelial Surveillance against apoptosis: a novel neighbourhood watch for homeostasis.
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Forces in Nature: Tissue mechanics and cell sociology
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Epithelial mechanics and the fate of cancer
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Epithelial tissue mechanics: a new key to relapse in chronic inflammatory bowel disease
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Keeping forces local for epithelial homeostasis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    RhoA signaling: the nanoscale mechanisms of mechanochemical regulation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Histology and Advanced Microscopy Research Facility upgrade
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    In vivo imaging system for tracking inflammation, infection, cancer, pain and bioactive molecules
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    The enemy within: epithelial defence against cell death.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Cryoelectron Microscopy Platform for Cellular Structural Biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    How caveolae condition tissue mechanics for an anti-tumor niche
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Mechanobiology of epithelial homeostasis in health and disease
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    ACRF Cancer Ultrastructure and Function Facility
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    A mechanotransduction apparatus to coordinate epithelial collective cell migration
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Down-regulation of RhoA signaling mediates HGF/MET-induced tumor progression
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Cell-cell adhesive force in vascular development
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Controlling the Rho off-switch: a novel target in breast cancer.
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Femtosecond laser imaging system for multi-photon microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Tissue tension homeostasis by junctional mechanosensing.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Single molecule imaging laboratory (ARC LIEF project administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Optomechanics: a novel approach for studying the actomyosin cell cortex at multiple scales
    Human Frontier Science Program Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    (Dys)Regulating junctional tension: a novel mechanism in tumor cell biology
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Leica TCS SP8 microscope
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Live molecular imaging using super resolution microscopy, two photon and spinning disk confocal microscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Program in membrane interface biology
    NHMRC Program Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    How do invasive breast cancer cells escape the mother tumor?
    National Breast Cancer Foundation Novel Concept Award
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    NHMRC Research Fellowship: Cadherin Biology in Morphogenesis and Disease
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Mechanotransduction: a new paradigm for cadherin junction biology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy system - Rapid live cell imaging of dynamic biological processes
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Tissue organization and cadherin mechanotransduction
    Oncology Children's Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Zebrafish Aquarium-Genetic Screening, Nursery and Importation Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2016
    Targeting breast cancer recurrence through epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (National Breast Cancer Foundation Grant administered by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Automated Deconvolution optical microscope workstation for high-throughput and high-resolution/live cell analysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Cortactin: integrating cadherin signalling for junctional integrity
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Junctional actin regulation in contact recognition and control of neuroblastoma cell migration
    Oncology Children's Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by miR-200 (NHMRC Project Grant administered by the University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Myosin VI: a novel molecular apparatus for epithelial cohesion.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SRF B)
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Zebrafish Aquarium - expand capacity of existing Zebrafish facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2016
    The ACRF Cancer Biology Imaging Facility
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Junctional actin regulation in contact recognition and control of neuroblastoma cell migration
    Oncology Children's Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Actin cytoskeleton regulation by E-cadherin and Src.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Analytical flow cytometer for high throughput cell biology and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Myosin VI: a novel molecular apparatus for epithelial cohesion
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Spatial organization of cadherin junctions by dynamic micotubles: an integrated model
    Human Frontier Science Program Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Preserving barriers: how cadherin signaling coordinates dynamic adhesion and tight junction assembly in epithelial cell
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Regulation of Myosin II by E-cadherin adhesion
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Regulation of dynamic cell-cell adhesions by coordinated action of lipid kinases and phosphatases
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The role of Crim1 in growth factor activity and cell motility/adhesion.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Balancing cadherin-actin cooperation: the key regulatory role of Ena/VASP proteins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Hedgehog signalling in limb and craniofacial development and disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    The role of DEP-1 as a tumour suppressor in breast cancer
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Microtubule capture by E-cadherin: a novel mechanism for dynamic cell-cell adhesion.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2009
    NHMRC SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Preserving junctions: regulating cadherins by Rho and Myosin 2.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    Tiam-1: a key regulator of E-cadherin signalling and epithelial organization
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2011
    Dynamic Imaging Facility for Cancer Biology
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Cortactin: molecular regulation of cadherin activity and epithelial morphogenesis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant_IMB_Molecular Cell Biology
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Control of actin assembly by cell-cell adhesion: molecular effectors and higher order function.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Molecular Characterisation Of E-Cadherin-Activated Rac Signaling
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Trafficking Of E-Cadherin In Epithelial Cells
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Morphogenetic regulation of cell movement by E-cadherin cell surface dynamics
    Human Frontier Science Program Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Real-time imaging of cadherin signalling to the actin cytoskeleton
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Regulation of tumor cell locomotility and invasiveness by the cell adhesion molecule, E-cadherin
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    Cadherin-dependent cell signalling in control of cell motility and tumour invasiveness
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Functional Characterization of a Signaling Complex Between Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase-k and E-cadherin
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000
    High-resolution, high quality digital time-lapse microscopy system
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2004
    Morphogenetic mechanisms of cadherin cell adhesion molecules
    Wellcome Trust
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Regulation of cell-matrix (integrin) adhesion by cell-cell contact and growth factor signalling pathways
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Mechanisms and regulation of cadherin cell-cell adhesion
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Morphogenetic mechanisms of cadherin adhesion molecules
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Servier Fellowship
    Royal Australasian College of Physicians
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Alpha Yap is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • How tissue hypertension in epithelia promotes cancer

    Epithelial tissues are the principal barriers in our body and the source of common diseases, notably cancer and inflammation. The surprising thing is that despite the fact that they are subject to constant bombardment by toxins, infection and transformation, epithelia stay healthy most of the time – and keep us healthy. This is because epithelia possess mechanisms to maintain homeostasis: to detect potential insults and respond appropriately. We believe that a major early-warning system involves changes in mechanical tension upon injury or transformation: these are detected by the neighbouring epithelium, which responds by eliminating the affected cells. These changes in mechanical force are transmitted through cell-cell junctions and detected at those junctions by mechanotransduction. Conversely, events that compromise junctional mechanotransduction can render epithelia vulnerable to disease.

    This project builds on our recent discovery that mechanical tension in an epithelium prevents it from eliminating newly-developed cancers. We aim to elucidate how this tissue hypertension prevents cancer elimination and how it may promote growth of those retained cancer cells.To do this, we combine cell biology with organoid and animal models, collaborating with developmental biologists, cancer biologists, mathematicians, engineers and physicists.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mechanical and biological determinants of epithelial homeostasis.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Epithelial surveillance against cell aberration.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ellen Potoczky

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Epithelial Mechanics of Apoptotic Cell Extrusion: A study of different aspects of cell extrusion and the epithelial response

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cytoskeleton crosstalk and epithelial homeostasis.

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the Spatiotemporal Organisation of the Actomyosin Cortex

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantitative live imaging of junctional neural tube formation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yanina Alvarez, Dr Mel White

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of a molecular pathway controlling cell-cell adhesion in veins but not arteries

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Anne Lagendijk

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Alpha Yap directly for media enquiries about:

  • bowel cancer
  • breast cancer
  • Cadherin adhesion in cell interaction
  • cancer
  • Cell biology
  • inflammation
  • Metastases
  • molecular medicine
  • Tumour development
  • Tumours
  • wound healing

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