Modeling dorsal closure during embryonic development of the fruit fly

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• Feng, J (University of British Columbia)
• Friday 28 June 2013, 09:45-10:30
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Mustapha Amrani.

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis of Complex Fluids and Active Media in Evolving Domains

This talk concerns “dorsal closure”, a dynamic and complex process during the embryogenesis of Drosophila. Experiments have documented distinct phases of dorsal closure, each with rich and sometimes contradictory observations. We build a mathematical model to rationalize the results and test various hypotheses put forth by experimenters. The cells are coupled mechanically through the position of the nodes and the elastic forces on the edges. Besides, each cell has radial spokes on which myosin motors can attach and exert contractile forces on the nodes, the myosin dynamics itself being controlled by a signaling molecule. This simple model successfully reproduces the cell and tissue pulsation in the early phase of dorsal closure, as well as the consistent contraction in the slow phase through a cellular ratcheting mechanism.

Co-authors: Qiming Wang (Univ of British Columbia), Len Pismen (Technion)

This talk is part of the Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series series.

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