Quantitative 4D analyses of cellular dynamics using time-lapse microscopy data have the potential to greatly advance our understanding of complex morphogenetic processes. Yet, obtaining these measurements remains technically challenging. I present my work developing computer vision tools to analyze cell shape during dorsal fold formation in the early Drosophila embryo (e.g. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v484/n7394/abs/nature10938.html )
My talk highlights the role computer vision can play in advancing our understanding of the fundamental process of cell shape change during development. I argue that quantitative developmental biology provides computer vision with an important and rich application domain. Computer vision has the potential to transform recent advances in time-lapse imaging technologies into powerful means of biological discovery.