Cell-cell contacts line the lateral membrane of epithelial tissue. There, the apical-most junction in vertebrates,

the tight junction, is tasked with regulating the permeability of ions, solutes, and macromolecules between cells. We work on uncovering how tight junctions form and how they are maintained over time. These efforts are coupled with the design of reagents and materials to manipulate tight junctions for improving drug bioavailability and for treating transport disorders.