# Physical mechanisms of cell rearrangements during germband extension in Drosophila melanogaster

> **NIH NIH R21** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $257,969

## Abstract

A major question in developmental biology is how tissues and organs acquire their shape
through the process of morphogenesis. Basic considerations from mechanics imply that tissues
are shaped by dynamical changes in (1) cellular forces and (2) tissue material properties. The
predominant approach to morphogenesis has consisted largely of genetics and imaging, neither
of which is sufficient to quantitatively determine either the forces or tissue properties. Here we
propose to measure material tissue properties directly, using calibrated micro-cantilevers to
probe tissue with subcellular resolution, in combination with lightsheet microscopy to quantify
deformations. From a comprehensive map of material properties and cellular dynamics, we will
be able to computationally infer the pattern of forces driving these dynamics uniquely. Using
Drosophila germband extension as a model, we will apply our approach to determine the
physical mechanisms underlying cell intercalation, rosette formation and resolution, and tissue
elongation. Our methods are in principle applicable to any developmental system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10194174
- **Project number:** 1R21HD105189-01
- **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Konstantin Doubrovinski
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $257,969
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10194174

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10194174, Physical mechanisms of cell rearrangements during germband extension in Drosophila melanogaster (1R21HD105189-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10194174. Licensed CC0.

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