Analysis of FGF-signalling mechanisms in controlling cell migration in Drosophila

The position of cells within a multi-cellular organism is strictly controlled. The tissue environment provides information that tells the cells whether to divide, become motile or stay where they are. This plasticity enables the organism to react upon changing conditions, like pathogen attack. Consequently, a failure of this regulation may lead to severe diseases. During cancer, for example, cells leave their assigned position in a tissue, become motile, invade and eventually destroy other tissues. Our knowledge about the regulators of cell motility is therefore crucial for the cure of such diseases. Research on genetic model organisms has demonstrated that the molecular regulation of cell motility is very similar between flies and man. However the way these regulators govern cell motility on a biochemical and genetic level is not known. We are using the fruit fly as a model with the aim to identify the important regulators and their modes of action. This information will provide a basis to see how these mechanisms relate to pathogenic situations in humans. These results will lead to a better understanding of human diseases like cancer, and will eventually be instructive for the generation of new medical treatments.