Mutant Mosaic

Each of these cells (highlighted in green with a blue-coloured nucleus) is a tiny retina in the eye of a fruit fly, Drosophila. Researchers believe patterns hidden between the cells hold clues to human cancer progression. The developing fly eye, much like developing human organs, requires morphogenesis – the process of shaping and patterning new tissue from repeating cellular 'building blocks'. On the left, the eye pictured has developed correctly – each retina is perfectly placed in a repeating hexagonal pattern, 2000 times smaller than a 50 pence piece (highlighted by a red line). But the eye on the right has lost its pattern due to a mutation in a gene called Vav. Using the fly’s eye as a biological model, researchers hope to draw parallels with morphogenesis inside human tissues, and in this case to understand the effects of unnatural levels of VAV found in many forms of cancer.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image adapted from work by Marianne Malartre and colleagues
• Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Spain
• Copyright held by The Company of Biologists
• Research published in Development, March 2015