Remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton is required for the dynamic cell shape changes that underlie cell migration, a pivotal developmental process. But what are the key regulators of actin reorganisation during cell migration?On p. 2557, Zanet and colleagues reveal that the migration of a subpopulation of motile blood cells(macrophage-like plasmatocytes) during Drosophila embryogenesis involves the actin-bundling protein Fascin. They show that plasmatocytes express high levels of Fascin and that Fascin is required for their polarisation and migration during development and during an inflammatory response to epithelial wounding. Fascin, they report, localises to, and is essential for the assembly of, actin-rich microspikes that extend beyond the leading edge of the migrating plasmatocytes. Finally, they show that Fascin activity is regulated post-translationally by phosphorylation in a tissue-specific manner. In humans, increased Fascin expression is correlated with the invasiveness of various tumours. Thus, these unique insights into Fascin function and regulation during...
The Company of Biologists Workshops
For the last 15 years, our publisher, The Company of Biologists, has provided an apt environment to inspire biology and support biologists through our Workshops series. Read about the evolution of the Workshop series and revisit JEB's experience with hosting the first Global South Workshop.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues
Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 30 May 2025.
Meet our 2025 Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows
We are delighted to announce our third cohort of PI fellows - researchers whom we will be supporting as they transition from postdoc to Principal Investigator. Read about the eight talented fellows chosen, whom we're excited to be working with as they navigate the job market.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology
In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
the Node: Have your say
Our community site, the Node, is conducting a user survey about the content and the design of the site. Help us shape the Node's future and thank you for being a part of the Node over the last 15 years.
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