Rachita Bhattacharya

This study shows that Yki signaling suppresses PI3K/Akt/TOR in Drosophila squamous epithelia, preventing tumor formation, and that its loss leads to cancer-like changes in multiple tubular organs.

The paper shows that Yorkie acts as a tumor suppressor in Drosophila squamous epithelia by suppressing TOR-driven α-tubulin acetylation, which is tissue-specific and distinct from other epithelial lineages.

The paper shows that degenerating larval epidermal cells generate pull forces that drive thorax closure in Drosophila by contracting and shrinking, facilitating HE migration and zipping.