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Related Concept Videos

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
Cell Migration01:19

Cell 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.
Cell Migration01:09

Cell 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.
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-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...
Cell Motility through Blebbing01:16

Cell Motility through Blebbing

Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Determining the Plane of Cell Division02:13

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function. 
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...

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Improved Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Drug Effects Using Micropatterned Cells
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Published on: December 2, 2010

"Developmental mechanics": cellular patterns controlled by adhesion, cortical tension and cell division.

Thomas Lecuit1

  • 1IBDML, UMR6216 CNRS-Université de la Méditerranée, Campus de Luminy case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.

HFSP Journal
|May 1, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Developmental biology reveals conserved molecules orchestrate embryonic patterns. Understanding tissue mechanics requires quantitative approaches and computational models, integrating physics for future insights.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Biophysics
  • Computational biology

Background:

  • Embryo development involves complex processes studied by embryologists, geneticists, mathematicians, and physicists.
  • Developmental biology has identified conserved molecules that control embryonic pattern formation and morphogenesis.
  • Emerging challenges include understanding the control of tissue mechanics during development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical and current role of physical concepts in developmental biology research.
  • To highlight the importance of quantitative approaches and computational modeling in predicting tissue organization and cell shapes.
  • To bridge the gap between physical sciences and developmental biology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of physical concepts applied to developmental biology.
  • Discussion of quantitative approaches and computational modeling in developmental research.
  • Synthesis of interdisciplinary contributions from physics, mathematics, and biology.

Main Results:

  • Physical concepts have significantly contributed to understanding embryonic development.
  • Conserved molecular mechanisms are key to pattern formation and morphogenesis.
  • Quantitative and computational methods are crucial for analyzing tissue mechanics and cell behavior.

Conclusions:

  • The integration of physical principles has been fundamental to major advances in developmental biology.
  • Future research necessitates sophisticated quantitative and computational tools to unravel complex developmental processes like tissue mechanics.
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for continued progress in understanding how embryos are shaped.