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Before programs: the physical origination of multicellular forms.

Stuart A Newman1, Gabor Forgacs, Gerd B Muller

  • 1New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. newman@nymc.edu

The International Journal of Developmental Biology
|February 16, 2006
PubMed
Summary
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Physical processes like diffusion and reaction-diffusion coupling shaped early life's forms. These generic physical mechanisms explain early multicellular organism morphologies, preceding genetic control.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Modern developmental systems are shaped by physical processes.
  • These processes are common to living and non-living viscoelastic, chemically excitable media.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the formative role of physical processes in developmental systems.
  • To propose a hypothetical scenario for pattern formation and morphogenesis in early metazoa based on physical mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of generic physical processes: free diffusion, immiscible liquid behavior, chemical oscillation/multistability, reaction-diffusion coupling, and mechanochemical responsivity.
  • Hypothetical scenario modeling for early metazoan evolution.
  • Comparison of predicted morphologies with extant and fossil organisms.

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Main Results:

  • Physical processes, though constrained, are fundamental to viscoelastic, chemically excitable media.
  • Early multicellular life likely relied more heavily on these physical processes before extensive genetic control.
  • Predicted morphologies (hollow, multilayered, segmented) match early metazoan embryos and Ediacaran fossils.

Conclusions:

  • Physical mechanisms played a crucial role in early pattern formation and morphogenesis.
  • The evolution of genetic mechanisms likely built upon these initial physical foundations.
  • This provides a framework for understanding the transition from physical to genetic control in organismal development.