We are interested in understanding how cells integrate signaling inputs to coordinate their orientation within epithelia. These signals mediate a number of fundamental developmental events to assemble a collection of individual cells into polarized tissues. We use the fruit fly, Drosophila, as our model system because abundant tools are available to take advantage of genetic, molecular, cellular and biochemical approaches to addressing questions and because the molecular cascades that regulate development in flies have been conserved through evolution. Drosophila thereby provides a powerful means of understanding how homologous pathways are regulated in vertebrates.