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Related Experiment Videos

'Generic' physical mechanisms of morphogenesis and pattern formation.

S A Newman1, W D Comper

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|September 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Generic physical mechanisms, like adhesion and surface tension, drive tissue development and pattern formation. These fundamental processes complement genetic mechanisms, influencing evolution and refining biological structures.

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Area of Science:

  • * Biophysics
  • * Developmental Biology
  • * Systems Biology

Background:

  • * Morphogenesis and tissue pattern formation are complex processes.
  • * Traditionally, focus has been on genetic mechanisms (biomolecular processes).
  • * The role of 'generic' physical mechanisms is often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To consider the role of generic physical mechanisms in tissue morphogenesis and pattern formation.
  • * To contrast generic physical mechanisms with genetic mechanisms.
  • * To propose that generic mechanisms are complementary and interdependent with genetic mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • * Review and conceptual analysis of physical processes in biological systems.
  • * Definition and categorization of 'generic' physical mechanisms (e.g., adhesion, surface tension, viscosity, phase separation, convection, reaction-diffusion coupling).

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  • * Comparison with 'genetic' mechanisms (highly evolved biomolecular processes).

    • Main Results:

    • * Generic mechanisms can induce morphogenetic rearrangements in cytoplasmic, tissue, and extracellular matrix components.
    • * Observed phenomena like 'microfingers', chemical waves, and stripes can result from these physical processes.
    • * Many morphogenetic and patterning effects are inevitable outcomes of tissue physical properties.

    Conclusions:

    • * Generic physical mechanisms are fundamental and broadly applicable to living and non-living systems.
    • * These mechanisms are complementary to and interdependent with genetic mechanisms in development.
    • * Major evolutionary morphological changes may originate from generic mechanisms acting on embryos, later refined by genetic evolution.