Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
08:06
A Microfluidics Approach for the Functional Investigation of Signaling Oscillations Governing Somitogenesis
Published on: March 19, 2021
[Mechanical feedback in morphogenesis and cell differentiation]
Biofizika
|January 14, 2009
Summary
Cells respond to and generate mechanical stresses, crucial for their survival, differentiation, and self-organization during development. These mechanical feedbacks are essential for embryonic tissue development and morphogenetic processes.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Context:
- Cellular mechanical stresses play a critical role in biological processes.
- Embryonic tissues exhibit dependence on and generation of mechanical forces.
- Understanding cellular mechanotransduction is key to developmental biology.
Purpose:
- To review studies on mechanical stresses and feedbacks at the cellular level.
- To highlight the interplay between external and internal mechanical forces.
- To discuss models of mechanical feedback in biological systems.
Summary:
- Cells respond to external mechanical stresses and actively generate internal stresses.
- Established feedbacks between passive and active mechanical stresses are vital for cell viability.
- These feedbacks guide cell differentiation and self-organization in morphogenesis.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the fundamental mechanisms of cell behavior and tissue development.
- Establishes the importance of mechanical forces in cell differentiation and self-organization.
- Discusses experimental data and models for future research in mechanobiology.
Related Concept Videos
02:19Morphogenesis
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
01:19Cell Migration
Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
01:09Cell Migration
Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
01:07Cell Signaling Feedback Loops
Positive and negative feedback loops are crucial for regulating biological signaling systems. These feedback loops are processes that connect output signals to their inputs.
Negative feedback loops
Most signaling systems have negative feedback loops that can perform different functions such as output limiter, and adaptation.
Output limiter
Upon receiving an input signal, the cellular response rapidly increases until a threshold is reached. Beyond this threshold, a negative feedback loop...
Negative feedback loops
Most signaling systems have negative feedback loops that can perform different functions such as output limiter, and adaptation.
Output limiter
Upon receiving an input signal, the cellular response rapidly increases until a threshold is reached. Beyond this threshold, a negative feedback loop...