Origin of symmetry breaking underlying polarized flow during <i>Drosophila</i> endoderm morphogenesis

The invagination of the Drosophila endoderm is driven by a complex interplay between biological signaling and tissue mechanics. Using several live imaging techniques, we are able to observe how changes in myosin levels, tissue curvature, and adhesion between the epithelium and the vitelline membrane relate to tissue dynamics during the process of endoderm morphogenesis. We then challenge our initial hypotheses through the use of selected genetic perturbations of the embryos combined with theoretical/computational methods to model the behavior of the tissue. With this combination of experimental and modeling approaches, we aim to systematically unravel how organized multicellular dynamics emerge from genetic, mechanical, and geometric "information", and feedback during morphogenesis. This work will shed new light on a variety of morphogenetic processes occurring during development.