Stem cells and morphogenesis during Drosophila ogenesis

Higher eukaryotes contain populations of stem cells responsible for the homeostasis of adult organisms. Often, these populations are found in microenvironments or ‘niches’ that prevent the pull towards differentiation characteristic of most cell types. One such a niche has been described in the Drosophila ovary, where germline stem cells (GSCs) are found. My laboratory is devoted mainly to studying the biology of the GSCs from genetic, cellular and molecular perspectives. During oogenesis, a number of events take place to ensure that the mother deposits mature eggs, susceptible of fertilisation. We study the morphogenetic processes behind egg production, with a particular focus on the roles that integrins play during follicular epithelium development.