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Finding the shape-shifter genes

Cell morphological plasticity is controlled by intracellular signalling pathways. By combining large-scale imaging with quantitative analysis, an RNA interference (RNAi) screen in Drosophila melanogaster haemocytes reveals that most targeted genes regulate transitions between discrete shapes. Loss of gene function changes shape frequencies or reduces diversity, rather than producing new morphologies.

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Figure 1: Analysis of morphological parameters demonstrates that cell shapes are discrete and definable.

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Correspondence to Michael F. Olson.

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Olson, M. Finding the shape-shifter genes. Nat Cell Biol 15, 723–725 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb2792

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