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Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Tracking Morphogenetic Tissue Deformations in the Early Chick Embryo

Tracking Morphogenetic Tissue Deformations in the Early Chick Embryo

Published on: October 17, 2011

Patterning of morphogenetic anisotropy fields.

Zihang Wang¹, M Cristina Marchetti¹, Fridtjof Brauns^1,2

¹Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|March 22, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study models how muscle fiber orientation and morphogen gradients interact to shape organisms like Hydra. It reveals how these factors control topological defects, crucial for development and body plan formation.

Keywords:

body plan patterning morphogen gradients orientational order topological defects

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Last Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Tracking Morphogenetic Tissue Deformations in the Early Chick Embryo

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Published on: October 17, 2011

Probing the Roles of Physical Forces in Early Chick Embryonic Morphogenesis

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Published on: June 5, 2018

Mapping the Emergent Spatial Organization of Mammalian Cells using Micropatterns and Quantitative Imaging

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Published on: April 30, 2019

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Biophysics
Mathematical Modeling

Background:

Orientational order, encoded in anisotropic fields, is vital for organism development.
In Hydra, topological defects in muscle fiber orientation localize to key body plan features.
Body plan organization is influenced by morphogen concentration gradients, prompting investigation into interactions with muscle orientation and shape.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a minimal model coupling nematic orientational order with morphogen gradients.
To investigate the interplay between muscle fiber orientation, morphogen gradients, and body shape.
To understand how these factors influence topological defects during organism development.

Main Methods:

Developed a minimal mathematical model coupling nematic orientational order to a morphogen field gradient.
Simulated the model on planar and curved surfaces mimicking Hydra morphologies.
Analyzed the emergence and behavior of topological defects under varying conditions.

Main Results:

Alignment to radial morphogen gradients can induce defect unbinding, mirroring Hydra budding and tentacle formation.
The model stabilizes aster/vortex-like defects at specific locations, such as the Hydra mouth.
Simulations on curved surfaces replicate experimentally observed orientational order reorganization in Hydra development.

Conclusions:

Gradient alignment and surface curvature effects synergistically control orientational order during development.
The model provides insights into how morphogen gradients and tissue mechanics shape organisms.
Establishes a foundation for future models incorporating tissue mechanics driving shape deformations.