Dorsal closure, an essential stage of Drosophila morphogenesis, provides a
model system for tissue dynamics. Our research approach is based on modern
genetics, in vivo imaging, laser microsurgery, digital image processing,
and quantitative modeling to identify the mechanical forces that connect
the genetic program of development to morphogenesis. Key to the dynamics
of dorsal closure are four biological processes, involving three tissues,
that are coordinated in space, synchronized in time, and remarkably