Deciphering morphogenetic cues encoded in cell shape

During tissue development, growth and repair, cells undergo extensive morphological changes. Whilst these cell shape dynamics clearly sculpt tissues, how they impact other key cellular events that drive tissue morphogenesis is unclear. My work suggests that cell shape unexpectedly directs multiple cellular processes, such as cell division, signalling and polarity, to function as a synergistic modulator of critical cell fate and behaviour decisions underpinning tissue building. Using a multidisciplinary approach integrating in-vivo live imaging, gene-editing and computational modelling techniques, I aim to mechanistically understand how cell shape achieves this by defining; (1) how interphase cell morphology directs asymmetric versus symmetric cell division/fate, (2) how signal-induced cell shape changes create positive-feedback that amplifies signalling responses and (3) how local cell shape remodelling polarises motile cells/tissues. Hence, I will define cell shape as a novel means to encode and process diverse instructive cues that direct key decision-making processes during tissue formation.