I am investigating the development of Drosophila musculature as a model system to better understand tissue formation. Myogenesis requires several cellular processes such as muscle fusion, muscle guidance, and muscle attachment to the tendons. Interestingly, there are several human myopathies related to failure in these cellular processes. I am studying the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. These findings may help in diagnosing and ultimately treating abnormalities causing muscle disease.

 

1- Myoblast fusion:

Myoblast fusion is the process by which two or more myoblasts combine to form multinucleated myotubes, fusing their plasma membranes and sharing their cytoplasms. The fusion of myoblasts is a critical step during normal muscle growth and regeneration of injured tissue. I am studying the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the fusion of the plasma membranes by investigating the function of a gene required for this process, singles bar.


2- Muscle guidance and attachment: the myotendinous junction.

There is very little known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the migration, recognition, and adhesion of the embryonic muscles to their corresponding tendon sites. I am developing an in vivo high-resolution microscopic assay to study the development of the myotendinous junction as a model system to study these processes. One of the studied mutations affects the gene perdido, (perd), encoding a cell adhesion protein, and it is essential for the formation of proper muscle projections and stable attachments to the tendon cells. I am also undertaking a genomic functional analysis to identify new molecules involved in Drosophila myogenesis.