The centrosome is the primary microtubule organising centre in most eukaryotic cells. It is composed of two centrioles surrounded by an electron-dense matrix called the pericentriolar material. In animal cycling cells, centrosome biogenesis and maintenance are tightly controlled by the cell cycle, so that each cell has two centrosomes during the cell division. In some specialised cells, the centrosome converts into the base of a cilium with diverse functions including proliferation, signalling and motility. Consequently, the defects in the structures mentioned above lead to cancer, ciliopathies and multiple other tissue-specific disorders in humans (combined affect 1 in 3 people).

I will discuss our recent efforts towards understanding how centrosome and cilia structures are formed and regulated in different cell types within the fruit fly, to control their number and organisation at various stages of development and adulthood, accommodating for diverse cellular functions.

Key words: Centrosome, Cilium, nano-scale imaging, genetics, electrophysiology, animal behaviour.