We study cell adhesion and the actomyosin cytoskeleton and how it is regulated during cell and tissue morphogenesis in health and disease. Cell adhesion and actomyosin contractility are mediated by a complex network of structural and regulatory proteins, which is why we employ a variety of methods, from the single molecule level to a whole organism, to gain insight into the inner workings of these remarkable machines. Using C. elegans as a model, we are particularly interested in the role forces play in the regulation of cell behavior and how cell-generated forces are deployed during cell migration, cell division, tubular tissue contraction, and embryonic morphogenesis. Another line of research in the lab seeks to capitalize on C. elegans genetics to generate models of human monogenetic diseases.