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Abstract: We are using tumours that can be experimentally induced in Drosophila to understand the molecular and cellular processes that drive neoplasia. Our current work is focused on three research lines. We are investigating the extent of genome instability (GI) and its contribution to malignancy. We are also studying the tumorigenic effect of ectopic somatic expression of germline genes, a trait that has been known for decades in human cancer (i.e. cancer-testis antigens), but whose functional relevance remains uncertain. Finally, we are investigating how centrosome dysfunction can bring about neoplasias derived from neural progenitors. Our studies also shed light on the mechanisms of normal cell division during development. Thus, for instance, fluorescent clonal reporters generated to study GI in tumours have revealed an intriguingly high level of GI in certain wild-type cell lineages. Likewise, our work on centrosomes in neural progenitors has identified a protein that is a key determinant of ciliogenesis and centriole ultrastructure.