Thanks Andre! Was an absolute pleasure. 😊

Thanks Otger!

I have worked on this project remotely for the last year @mbisg.bsky.social. If you like this kind of work on tissue morphogenesis, please consider joining my team in Singapore!

This was a tight collaboration between @poldresden.bsky.social and @mpipks.bsky.social. In particular, credit goes to the amazing @janafuhrmann.bsky.social, who helped conceive and lead the project. At PKS, Marko Popovic and @vicioms.bsky.social. Tremendously enjoyable collaboration (as always)!

Then we use physical modeling and genetic perturbations to argue that the aECM has an adhesive function that stabilizes the folds and must be biochemically removed at early pupal stages to allow unfolding.

Using electron microscopy @mpi-cbg.de, we discover extensive fibrous apical extracellular matrix (aECM) that covers the folds from top to bottom and adheres the two sides together through apical microvilli.

We used light sheet microscopy and new analysis methods to extract the 3D apical surface of the wing disc and quantify its main folds over development.

Tissue folds are a common occurrence during animal tissue development. While there are known mechanisms to initiate folding, we wondered, what happens after? How does the fold shape progress and what stabilizes the structure?

I confess, when I look at this poster, I see a wing disc on its side - but I don't know what it is actually. It's got too many folds for a Drosophila wing disc😅

Amazing news Rita! Congratulations 🎉

Congrats! 🎉