Emergence of a Hexagonal Lattice in Drosophila Eye Development - November 20, 2024

Explore groundbreaking research in developmental biology through this Presidential Lecture where discover how the Drosophila compound eye develops its precise hexagonal lattice structure. Delve into the investigation that challenges previous biochemical models of eye development, revealing a mechano-chemical templating process instead of the traditionally accepted reaction-diffusion mechanism. Learn how newly formed columns of ommatidia (photoreceptor clusters) mechanically guide cell movements to create subsequent columns, demonstrating that mechanical forces, rather than purely molecular signals, drive the self-organization of regular cellular patterns in epithelial tissue. Gain insights into this revolutionary understanding of tissue patterning that combines cellular mechanics with developmental biology in the fruit fly visual system.