DATE2025.08.29 #Press Releases

Individuality of cells accelerates the dramatic transformation of pupae

Summary

A research group consisting of Daiki Wakita (Project Researcher at the Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, and a JSPS Research Fellow–PD), Satoshi Yamaji (Master’s Program student at the Research Institute of Electrical Communication and the Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, at the time of the study), Daiki Umetsu (Lecturer at the Graduate School of Science, Osaka University), and Takeshi Kano (Professor at the School of Systems Information Science, Future University Hakodate), has demonstrated through simulation that when the body structure of an insect undergoes dramatic changes inside the pupa, the “individuality” of cells enhances the collective function of the cell population. This enables two processes—“scattering muscle fragments” and “organizing them into a stable mesh pattern”—to proceed quickly and simultaneously (see figure).

Our bodies consist of various types of cells, and even cells of the same type exhibit differences. However, how such “individuality” functions within a group of cells has not been well understood.

By studying fruit fly pupae, the research group observed the process in which muscles fragment and then settle into a mesh-like pattern. They confirmed that the surrounding cells differ in size and movement—that is, they possess individuality. Furthermore, by running simulations that varied the presence or absence of individuality, they investigated its role. This discovery offers insights for engineering applications, such as designing a group of robots with individuality to efficiently accomplish multiple tasks.

These findings were published in the U.S. scientific journal PLOS Computational Biology on Friday, August 29, at 3:00 a.m. Japan time.

Figure: Cell individuality accelerates the two steps of metamorphosis

Related Links

Osaka University, Tohoku University, Future University Hakodate

Journals

Journal name	PLOS Computational Biology
Title of paper	Dual-purpose dynamics emerge from a heterogeneous cell population in Drosophila metamorphosis