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Generation of Aggregates of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells that Show Symmetry Breaking, Polarization and Emergent Collective Behaviour In Vitro
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Symmetry breaking and inter-clonal behavioural variability in a slime mould
David Vogel1,2, Audrey Dussutour1, Jean-Louis Deneubourg3
11 Research Centre on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Toulouse University , CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse , France.
Biology Letters
|April 9, 2019
Summary
Symmetry breaking in Physarum polycephalum demonstrates how cells can develop diverse behaviors without external cues. This cellular plasticity, influenced by calcium concentration, is key to survival.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cells exhibit dynamic growth patterns, switching between isotropic and polarized growth.
- This symmetry breaking can occur without pre-existing external asymmetry.
- Understanding this process is crucial for comprehending cellular development and adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate symmetry breaking in the acellular slime mould, Physarum polycephalum.
- To explore the relationship between growth dynamics, symmetry breaking, and calcium concentration.
- To identify potential sources of cellular diversity within a clonal lineage.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Physarum polycephalum on two identical, opposed calcium sources.
- Quantifying growth dynamics and the level of symmetry breaking.
- Analyzing motility characteristics across different slime mould populations.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was observed between growth dynamic, symmetry breaking, and calcium concentration.
- Three distinct slime mould populations were identified with similar symmetry breaking but varied motility.
- Behavioral differences emerged spontaneously, independent of environmental variations.
Conclusions:
- Physarum polycephalum exhibits intrinsic symmetry breaking capabilities.
- Calcium concentration plays a role in modulating growth dynamics and symmetry breaking.
- Emergent behavioral plasticity in slime moulds can lead to cellular diversity, potentially enhancing survival.
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