Organs have specific and intricate 3D tissue geometries such as the architectures of the lung, intestine, and kidney. Although the cell types and composition in many organs are known, how organ architecture emerges across cell and tissue scales from the molecular components is unknown. We want to identify and understand the molecular and physical rules that cells use to build and shape functional organs. To achieve these goals, we study the morphogenesis of the Drosophila melanogaster renal system – the Malpighian tubules. The ability to watch this organ grow and manipulate it in real time make it an ideal system for dissecting the emergent properties cells use to build complex tissue structures. We combine genetic tools with live imaging, cellular cryo-electron tomography, and quantitative tools from mechanics and physics to bridge the gap between molecular organization, tissue architecture, and organ function.
