Genetic regulation of morphogenesis

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Organ formation, or organogenesis is one of the major events in animal development. During organogenesis several distinct cell types develop and arrange into a regular and reproducible spatial pattern. These morphogenetic processes determine structure, shape and function of an organ. To study the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern morphogenesis I have chosen a genetic approach using the gonads of the fruit fly Drosophila as a model system. Gonads consist of germ cells that develop into eggs or sperm, and somatic cells that have multiple tasks in supporting the development of gametes. Extensive communication between germ cells and somatic cells through molecular signals is essential for normal germ cell development and maturation. Therefore, germ cell development relies on the normal development of somatic tissues, and mutations in Drosophila that affect the differentiation of somatic gonadal tissues are sterile. The analysis of such sterile mutants is an important tool to gain insights into molecular mechanisms of gonad morphogenesis.