Epithelial morphogenesis in organoids
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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Mucociliary Epithelial Organoids from Xenopus Embryonic Cells: Generation, Culture and High-Resolution Live Imaging
Published on: July 28, 2020
Byung Ho Lee1, Irene Seijo-Barandiaran1, Anne Grapin-Botton1
1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 1307 Dresden, Germany.
Abstract:
Epithelial organoids can recapitulate many processes reminiscent of morphogenesis in vivo including lumen and multilayer formation, folding, branching, delamination and elongation. While being noisier in vitro than in vivo, these processes can be monitored live and subjected to interferences, a field that is emerging. We elaborate on the signalling molecules controlling morphogenesis, from the medium and their emergence as signalling centers in the organoids. Further, we discuss how organoid shape is controlled by mechanical cues within the organoid and their interplay with the material properties of the environment.

