Cell Migration

Abstract

Cells move and migrate to new locations in the bodies of developing animals, an important step for the correct formation and function of organs. This research uses a simple genetic model, the fruit fly, to investigate how cells move as organized groups within the animal. The overall goal of these studies is to identify fundamental mechanisms that keep cells together during cell movement, a poorly understood process. Results from these studies are expected to shed light on the way that cells migrate to populate tissues and organs during animal development.