Our interest is to understand how cells become polarized and a tissue is patterned. In particular, how do cells differentiate and interpret polarizing cues to become asymmetric, and what regulatory mechanisms ensure the precise development of a living organism? Aberrations in patterning – be it polarization or growth control – lead to severe birth defects and diseases such as cancer. The signaling pathways that control patterning of a fly are also affected in abnormal behavior of human cells.