The multimodal action of G alpha q in coordinating growth and homeostasis in the wing imaginal disc.

Background: G proteins mediate cell responses to various ligands and play key roles in organ development. Dysregulation of G-proteins or Ca signaling impacts many human diseases and results in birth defects. However, the downstream effectors of specific G proteins in developmental regulatory networks are still poorly understood.

MAPPER: An Open-Source, High-Dimensional Image Analysis Pipeline Unmasks Differential Regulation of Wing Features.

Phenomics requires quantification of large volumes of image data, necessitating high throughput image processing approaches. Existing image processing pipelines for wings, a powerful genetic model for studying the underlying genetics for a broad range of cellular and developmental processes, are limited in speed, precision, and functional versatility. To expand on the utility of the wing as a phenotypic screening system, we developed MAPPER, an automated machine learning-based pipeline that quantifies high-dimensional phenotypic signatures, with each dimension quantifying a unique morphological feature of the wing.

From spikes to intercellular waves: Tuning intercellular calcium signaling dynamics modulates organ size control.

Information flow within and between cells depends significantly on calcium (Ca2+) signaling dynamics. However, the biophysical mechanisms that govern emergent patterns of Ca2+ signaling dynamics at the organ level remain elusive. Recent experimental studies in developing Drosophila wing imaginal discs demonstrate the emergence of four distinct patterns of Ca2+ activity: Ca2+ spikes, intercellular Ca2+ transients, tissue-level Ca2+ waves, and a global "fluttering" state.

Decoding Calcium Signaling Dynamics during Drosophila Wing Disc Development.

The robust specification of organ development depends on coordinated cell-cell communication. This process requires signal integration among multiple pathways, relying on second messengers such as calcium ions. Calcium signaling encodes a significant portion of the cellular state by regulating transcription factors, enzymes, and cytoskeletal proteins.