Multicellular organisms accomplish normal tissue growth and morphogenesis in a highly reproducible manner even in the presence of various perturbations such as genetic mutations and environmental fluctuations. Cell-cell communication within the growing tissue ensures robust coordination of tissue growth/morphogensis and homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation and cell death. Using a powerful genetic model Drosophila, we are now dissecting the mechanism of robust coordination of tissue growth/morphogenesis and homeostasis through cell-cell communications. 

  In addition, there are growing evidence suggesting that cancer development is also achieved by not only a series of genetic alterations, but also cell-cell communications. We are now dissecting the mechanism of non-autonomous tumor development and progression by surrounding normal cells. Our goal is to understand the principle of multicellular communities coordinated by cell-cell communications.