Theoretical study for the gene regulatory network controlling the Dpp-dependent morphogenesis in the wing imaginal disc of Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila wing imaginal disc - epithelial cell population in larva corresponding to wing and notum in adult - is one of the systems for which much information about molecular mechanisms has been accumulated. In the wing disc, two major morphogen, Dpp and Wg governs the Antero-Posterior and Dorso-Ventral pattern formation, respectively. In addition, it is known that Dpp also plays important roles as a regulator of Wg expression pattern and a tissue growth factor.
In contrast to a lot of molecular works, there are only a few studies that analyze the role of the GRN in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc from a systems biological aspect.
In this talk, I focus on the following two issues: (i) biological function of the complex GRN for Dpp-dependent Wg pattern formation in the future notum. (ii) possible mechanisms for the Dpp-dependent cell division in the wing disc.