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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
11:37
Generation of Aggregates of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells that Show Symmetry Breaking, Polarization and Emergent Collective Behaviour In Vitro
Published on: November 24, 2015
Finite-size corrections to scaling behavior in sorted cell aggregates
A V Klopper1, G Krens, S W Grill
1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstraße 108, D-01307, Dresden, Germany.
The European Physical Journal. E, Soft Matter
|September 21, 2010
Summary
This study introduces a 3D method to track cell sorting in zebrafish embryos. Researchers found that germ layer progenitor cells
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell sorting is crucial for multicellular organism development.
- Previous in vitro studies analyzed cell sorting in 2D, limiting understanding of 3D dynamics.
- Understanding the physical principles governing cell sorting is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a 3D method for recording and analyzing cell sorting over time.
- To investigate the relationship between cell sorting behavior and population size.
- To quantitatively analyze the sorting of primary zebrafish ectoderm and mesoderm germ layer progenitor cells.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel 3D imaging technique to capture cell sorting dynamics.
- Utilized primary zebrafish ectoderm and mesoderm germ layer progenitor cells.
- Quantitatively analyzed sorting behavior using an order parameter based on heterotypic interface length.
Main Results:
- Successfully recorded and analyzed 3D cell sorting of germ layer progenitor cells over time.
- Demonstrated a relationship between total interfacial length and system size in sorted aggregates.
- Observed a finite-size effect influencing the geometric relationship in cell sorting.
Conclusions:
- The new 3D method enables detailed quantitative analysis of cell sorting dynamics.
- Germ layer progenitor cell sorting follows predictable geometric principles, influenced by system size.
- This work provides insights into the physical basis of cell sorting in early development.
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