For contributions to cancer cell biology

Moving cells can sense and respond to physical features of the microenvironment; however, in vivo, the significance of tissue topography is mostly unknown. Here, we used Drosophila border cells, an established model for in vivo cell migration, to study how chemical and physical information influences path selection. Although chemical cues were thought to be sufficient, live imaging, genetics, modeling, and simulations show that microtopography is also important.

Dai, Guo et al, Science, in press

Cell motility is essential for embryonic development, adult homeostasis, tumor cell

dissemination, and immunity. Migrating cells navigate physical features of their

microenvironment, however the in vivo significance of tissue topography for pathfinding is

mostly unknown. Dai, Guo et al. use Drosophila border cells to study path selection in vivo.

Experiments, mathematical modeling and simulations show that tissue microtopography