Investigating Zyxin and Upstream Regulators in the Drosophila melanogaster Hippo Signalling Pathway: Insights into Sub-cellular Localisation, Function, and Regulation

The Hippo signalling pathway is a key development system that controls how tissues grow, with over 35 proteins working together to control cell division and survival. My research focuses on how a protein called Zyxin helps regulate this pathway in the fruit fly, which shares a large portion of its genome with humans. I found that Zyxin responds to mechanical forces and helps position other key proteins to control growth. I also mapped important pathway proteins during development and tested new imaging techniques to better visualise proteins. These findings provide insights into tissue growth, with potential applications in cancer research.