Extrinsic and Intrinsic Regulation of Hematopoietic Progenitors in the Drosophila Larval Lymph Gland

Abstract

Drosophila hematopoiesis shares many similarities at the molecular and cellular level with the phylogenetically distant vertebrates. The simplicity of the model and genetic amenability provides an excellent opportunity to unravel cellular intricacies involved in the mechanisms related to blood development. Drosophila larval lymph gland, a product of definitive hematopoiesis in fly, has been studied extensively, enabling the elucidation of complex cross-talks between the distinct cell populations that the organ harbours in close proximity to each other. This treasure trove of information and similarities with vertebrate counterparts provides an excellent model to answer basic questions related to blood development. My thesis primarily dwells on the characterization of progenitors and their maintenance signals