Michael Glotzer

The Rap1 GTPase performs two separable functions during cellularization to enable ventral furrow formation

This study uses optogenetic tools to show Rap1 has two distinct roles during cellularization in Drosophila ventral furrow formation.

A minimal mathematical model for polarity establishment and centralspindlin-independent cytokinesis

The paper constructs a minimal mathematical model to explain how AIR-1, ECT-2, and myosin dynamics drive polarization and cytokinesis in C. elegans, showing robust polarity establishment and cytokinesis prediction.

Phylogenetics and structural modeling of Centralspindlin and Ect2 provides mechanistic insights into the emergence of Metazoa and multicellularity

The paper uses phylogenetic analysis and structural modeling to study the evolution of cytokinesis regulators in Metazoa and their role in multicellularity.

Rho1 activation recapitulates early gastrulation events in the ventral, but not dorsal, epithelium of Drosophila embryos

This study shows that Rho1 activation in Drosophila embryos induces different deformations in ventral and dorsal epithelia, revealing that ventral-specific factors are needed for full gastrulation.