Award details

Computer simulations of the mechanisms of gastrulation in Drosophila embryos

Reference	BBS/B/02495
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Mark Miodownik
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Kathy Barrett
Institution	King's College London
Department	Mechanical Engineering
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	172,428
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	28/06/2004
End date	27/11/2007
Duration	41 months

Abstract

The aim of this proposal is to investigate how groups of cells co-operate to initiate global shape changes, such as morphogenetic changes during embryo development. This is a complex problem in which the mechanics and the biology cannot easily be separated and requires an interdisciplinary approach. We will construct a computer model to test current theories of Drosophila gastrulation, and investigate the relationship between the physical parameters that describe the mechanics of cell shape changes and the genetic information that determines the cell behaviour. The key innovation in this proposal is that for the first time we will be linking cell shape changes of individual cells to the simulated expression of proteins in those cells.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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