Much Ado about Folding

Tissue folding is a fundamental process in animal organ development, yet the mechanical mechanisms governing fold stability and unfolding remain incompletely understood. In this seminar, I will discuss the evolution of fold morphology and mechanics during Drosophila wing disc development. I will introduce the techniques we developed to study the apical surface of the tissue and present measurements of fold depth and width that characterize the evolution of folds throughout development. The folding process is closely associated with the presence of a fibrous apical extracellular matrix (aECM) that physically connects opposing sides of the folds. By combining a lateral vertex model incorporating aECM-mediated adhesion with genetic perturbations, we show that the aECM contributes to fold stability and that its removal is necessary for proper unfolding. Furthermore, we demonstrate that perturbations of the aECM during larval development lead to morphological defects in the adult wing. Time permitting, I will also introduce a computational library currently under development that aims to extend the study of folded structures to general surfaces/tissues.

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Contact : jocelyn.etienne@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr