# Mechanisms coordinating cell behaviors within tissues during development

> **NIH NIH R35** · COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE · 2021 · $389,218

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The formation of functional tissue architectures during embryonic development depends on the ability
of cells to orchestrate collective tissue-level movements. The goal of my research program is to
understand how cells work together to collectively generate the shape and structure of multicellular
tissues in the process of morphogenesis. Our current understanding of morphogenesis has been limited
by conceptual and technological barriers to dissecting the mechanical and molecular inputs that
together coordinate cell behaviors. During this award, we will address these challenges and focus on
resolving several key gaps in our understanding by: (1) elucidating how contractile and adhesive protein
machineries in cells help coordinate activities between neighboring cells to give rise to collective cell
and tissue movements and (2) dissecting how mechanical inputs integrate with molecular inputs to
coordinate cell behaviors within tissues. Using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, we are
taking innovative approaches to address these questions in the context of epithelial tissue
morphogenesis. To enable us to dissect mechanisms that coordinate cell behaviors, we are developing
and using new technologies for controlling and quantifying the cell machineries and forces that drive
these cell behaviors. These techniques, in combination with quantitative modeling, will allow us to
dissect the molecular and mechanical mechanisms that coordinate cell behaviors within multicellular
tissues. This work will provide a foundation for integrating mechanics into our understanding of how
genetic and biochemical factors control development and may motivate new strategies for controlling
tissue shape and structure in vivo and in vitro. More broadly, the tools and framework we develop will
enable us to investigate the mechanisms that coordinate cell behaviors in a broad range of multicellular
processes. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying collective cell behaviors can elucidate
general principles of self-organization in biological systems, provide insight into how improper
regulation of these processes leads to human disease, and develop new approaches to manipulate
these processes for therapeutic benefit.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10200853
- **Project number:** 5R35GM138380-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE
- **Principal Investigator:** Karen Kasza
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $389,218
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10200853

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10200853, Mechanisms coordinating cell behaviors within tissues during development (5R35GM138380-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10200853. Licensed CC0.

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