Analysis of pattern formation in the epidermis of the adult abdomen of Drosophila by in vivo 4D-microscopy

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How are complex patterns formed by groups of cells? Different cellular processes have to work together dynamically to position and orient all cells to ensure proper development. I aim to investigate pattern formation in the adult abdominal epidermis of Drosophila by in vivo 4D-microscopy. The abdominal epidermis of Drosophila is well suited to study pattern formation: it is formed anew during metamorphosis by a variety of different processes, including cell sorting and cell movements plus the establishment of a strict antero-posterior polarity in the epithelium. 4D-microscopy allows the analysis of cell behaviour at the level of single cells by generating movies that record a process in both space and time. I will combine this imaging technique with clonal analysis to study the effects of removing or over-expressing certain gene products on cell behaviour. I will focus on genes which affect cellular polarity and identity and are known to be important for patterning. This will allow me to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying cell movements, cell shape changes, and cellular polarity and to find new aspects of cell behaviour during the extensive cell movements and cell divisions that occur while the adult abdomen is being built.