  In this article, we propose a general framework to study the dynamics and
topology of cellular networks that capture the geometry of cell packings in
two-dimensional tissues. Such epithelia undergo large-scale deformation during
morphogenesis of a multicellular organism. Large-scale deformations emerge from
many individual cellular events such as cell shape changes, cell
rearrangements, cell divisions, and cell extrusions. Using a triangle-based
representation of cellular network geometry, we obtain an exact decomposition
of large-scale material deformation. Interestingly, our approach reveals
contributions of correlations between cellular rotations and elongation as well
as cellular growth and elongation to tissue deformation. Using this Triangle
Method, we discuss tissue remodeling in the developing pupal wing of the fly
Drosophila melanogaster.
