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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Generation of Aggregates of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells that Show Symmetry Breaking, Polarization and Emergent Collective Behaviour In Vitro
Published on: November 24, 2015
Spontaneous emergence of long-range shape symmetry
Hidetsugu Shiozawa1, Anne C Skeldon, David J B Lloyd
1Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom. h.shiozawa@surrey.ac.uk
Abstract:
Self-organization of matter is essential for natural pattern formation, chemical synthesis, as well as modern material science. Here we show that isovolumetric reactions of a single organometallic precursor allow symmetry breaking events from iron nuclei to the creation of different symmetric carbon structures: microspheres, nanotubes, and mirrored spiraling microcones. A mathematical model, based on mass conservation and chemical composition, quantitatively explains the shape growth. The genesis of such could have significant implications for material design.
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