Susanna Brantley, PhD

From signaling to cell fate - how cells interpret developmental morphogens

Pioneers in the Developmental Biology Field have identified the handful of signaling pathways that promote the differentiation of unique cell types during embryonic development. In the Brantley lab, we aim to uncover how cells use these signals in a dynamic in vivo environment and convert that information to cell fate decisions at the correct time and place.

Our model systems

Insect embryos are an ideal system to image developmental biology in real time. We use the early Drosophila melanogaster embryo to uncover how cells coordinate the complex cellular decisions required for proper tissue patterning and future organogenesis. Using comparative embryology approaches in other species (D. sechellia, D. busckii, & Tribolium castaneum), we aim to understand how patterning decisions scale to embryos of different sizes, shapes, and developmental time scales.

Our approach

We combine classic genetics and biochemistry experiments with quantitative live imaging approaches to get at a systems-level, in vivo understanding of early developmental patterning. We build new sensors to measure signaling in real time and collaborate with physicists and engineers to model and predict cell behaviors based on experimental data.

Our values

You can learn more about how the Brantley Lab strives to engage in the process of research at this link to our Lab Compact: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R7SeuOTODgAIy0rg7yDs2rSq3WJwHUNU243DjJ830bs/edit?usp=sharing

Susanna Brantley, PhD (PI)

sebrantley [at] uncg.edu

Research interests: all things developmental signaling! How do cells in an embryo use the information in their environment to make decisions are the right time and place?

Hobbies outside the lab: ultimate frisbee, deck building games, wine tasting

This could be YOU!

The Brantley Lab will be accepting graduate students in Fall 2027. If you are interested in the Biology PhD program at UNCG, visit https://biology.uncg.edu/graduate/apply/.

This could be YOU!

The Brantley Lab is accepting undergraduate and post-bac students for Fall 2026 independent study, even if this is your first research experience. Interested students can email their CV to sebrantley@uncg.edu and fill out this interest form.