First-of-its-kind live imaging leads to major discovery in how cells pattern in tissues

The ability of cells to self-organize into specific patterns in tissues that serve a function is a universal feature of life. A well-known and much studied pattern is the compound eye of the fruit fly. Researchers now have discovered that the formation of the pattern involves mechanical forces, not just chemical signals transmitted between cells. Using first-of-its-kind live imaging, the researchers saw cells moving into position as the eye develops; the cells are not static as previously believed.