Summary of the science
How do wings grow? Suzanne Eaton's lab studied how patterns emerge during wing growth, like the arrangement of cells and structures. By using advanced techniques to observe and analyse wing development, they uncovered the basic rules that control tissue organisation. Global planar polarity refers to the coordinated arrangement of cells and structures in a tissue, such as the direction of hairs or veins on a wing, which contribute to its proper development and function. This research contributes to our knowledge of how living organisms grow and repair themselves, and it helps us understand the fascinating process of wing formation.
About the research
Suzanne Eaton's lab focused on investigating the mechanisms underlying tissue development and morphogenesis, particularly the emergence of global planar polarity patterns during wing growth. Through the utilisation of genetic and imaging techniques, the lab explored the interplay between cellular signalling pathways, cytoskeletal dynamics, and tissue mechanics. By elucidating the molecular and biomechanical basis of planar polarity, they aimed to uncover fundamental principles governing tissue organisation and contribute to our understanding of embryonic development and regeneration.
About the illustration
As the research focuses on wing growth, we decided to keep it simple and create an illustration of the wings, ensuring the structure was identical on each side, to emphasis the need for patterns.