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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Tracking Morphogenetic Tissue Deformations in the Early Chick Embryo

Tracking Morphogenetic Tissue Deformations in the Early Chick Embryo

Published on: October 17, 2011

Using cell deformation and motion to predict forces and collective behavior in morphogenesis.

Matthias Merkel¹, M Lisa Manning¹

¹Department of Physics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

|August 7, 2016

Summary

Understanding how cells generate mechanical forces is key to explaining tissue development. This review explores mechanical models of tissues, linking cell behavior to organism-scale morphogenesis for future experiments.

Keywords:

Collective motion Deformation Epithelium Jamming Morphogenesis Tissue mechanics

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Last Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Tracking Morphogenetic Tissue Deformations in the Early Chick Embryo

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Deep and Spatially Controlled Volume Ablations using a Two-Photon Microscope in the Zebrafish Gastrula

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Probing the Roles of Physical Forces in Early Chick Embryonic Morphogenesis

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Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Biophysics
Cell biology

Background:

Morphogenesis involves cellular processes shaping tissues and organs.
Understanding the mechanical forces driving cell and tissue deformation is crucial.
Biochemical signaling's role in regulating tissue form and function requires mechanical insights.

Purpose of the Study:

To review advances in mechanical models of biological tissues.
To connect cellular-scale mechanics to tissue-scale morphogenesis.
To guide future experimental directions in developmental biology.

Main Methods:

Reviewing recent progress in mechanical modeling of tissues.
Analyzing how cell shape changes and motility generate forces.
Applying physical material concepts to biological tissues.

Main Results:

Mechanical models provide quantitative predictions for tissue-scale behavior.
Cellular mechanics (shape, motility) directly influence tissue-level forces and collective behavior.
Viewing tissues as physical materials offers significant insights.

Conclusions:

Mechanical modeling is essential for understanding morphogenesis.
Future experiments can be shaped by these mechanical insights.
Bridging cellular mechanics and tissue dynamics is key for developmental biology.