Home Department: Computer Science
Mentor: Lucy O’Brien (Molecular & Cellular Physiology)

“Live Imaging of Regenerative Tissue Dynamics in the Drosophila Gut”

Tissue damage triggers a rapid, yet regulated, repair response, necessitating intricate coordination among responding neighboring cells. These dynamic cell-cell interactions are poorly understood due to challenges in imaging live responses. Vibhu’s project will use Bellymount, a live imaging technique developed by the O’Brien lab, to examine cell-cell interactions during injury in the Drosophila intestinal tract. Vibhu will combine genetic manipulations and computational image analysis to dissect how cells interact during an injury response. This study will enhance our understanding of tissue repair mechanisms, leveraging the unique advantages of the fly gut model to shed light on cellular coordination during regeneration.