Andreas Wodarz (CECAD Universität zu Köln, Germany) - Molecular control of actomyosin contractility during morphogenesis in Drosophila

The cortical actomyosin network generates the mechanical force that drives highly dynamic processes occurring during epithelial morphogenesis, such as cell division, cell rearrangements or cell shape changes. Proper apical-basal and planar cell polarity are required to regulate the spatiotemporal behavior of the actomyosin network during morphogenesis. In Drosophila, Bazooka/Par3 (Baz) is one of the key regulators controling both apical-basal and planar cell polarity