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Modeling microsurgical interventions in morphogenesis

Shane Hutson Vanderbilt University

Authors

Shane Hutson

Abstract

We have used laser-microsurgery to assess the time-dependent mechanobiology of epithelial tissues during early fruit fly embryogenesis – specifically during the processes of germ band retraction and dorsal closure. We use laser-microsurgery in two ways: (1) to qualitatively assess whether removal of specific cells or tissues impedes or alters the time course of a morphogenetic event; and (2) to quantitatively measure the passive mechanical response after the impulsive drilling of a hole through the epithelium. In both cases, models are an important part of interpreting the results. For (1), models are used to test specific hypotheses about the driving forces. For (2), models are used to solve the inverse problem to determine an epithelium's pre-incision mechanical state. I will discuss both applications of models to our microsurgical experiments. This work supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (IOB-0545679) and the Human Frontier Science Program (RGP0021/2007 C).