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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
08:49
Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix
Published on: July 10, 2016
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A Unifying Theory of Branching Morphogenesis
Edouard Hannezo1, Colinda L G J Scheele2, Mohammad Moad3
1Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK; The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; The Wellcome Trust/Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK.
Cell
|September 23, 2017
Summary
Complex organ branching, like in mammary glands and kidneys, can be explained by a simple self-organized process. Equipotent tips explore space, branch, and stop growing near neighbors, creating intricate structures without rigid genetic programming.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Systems Biology
- Mathematical Biology
Background:
- Organogenesis of branched structures is complex.
- Signaling pathways are known, but macroscopic features remain unexplained.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain macroscopic features of branched organs (size, topology, patterning) within a unifying framework.
- To propose a model for self-organized morphogenesis in epithelial structures.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of large-scale organ reconstructions (mouse mammary gland, kidney, human prostate).
- Proliferation kinetics measurements.
- Modeling using branching and annihilating random walks.
Main Results:
- Macroscopic features of branched organs can be quantitatively explained by a single framework.
- Morphogenesis arises from equipotent tips that stochastically branch and explore space.
- Tips become inactive when near neighbors, demonstrating neutral competition for space.
Conclusions:
- Complex branched epithelial structures develop via self-organization.
- A simple, generic rule governs morphogenesis, not a rigid genetic sequence.
- Branching and annihilating random walks provide a unifying framework for organ development.
Keywords:
branching and annihilating random walksbranching morphogenesiskidneymammary glandmathematical modelingprostateself-organizationMore Related Videos
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