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Updated: Feb 10, 2026
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Break to build: fracture as a unifying morphogenetic strategy
Daniel Santos-Oliván1,2, Christopher J J Chan3, Alejandro Torres-Sánchez1,2
1European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Barcelona, Calle Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|February 9, 2026
Summary
Living tissues actively use fractures, or cracks, for controlled development and repair, not just failure. This review explores how biological systems harness fracture mechanics for tissue sculpting across species.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Mechanobiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Fracture is traditionally linked to structural failure in engineering.
- Living tissues exhibit self-organization and self-repair capabilities.
- Controlled fracture plays a role in biological development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how fractures are integrated into biological developmental programs.
- To connect principles of fracture mechanics with biological contexts.
- To highlight fracture's role in tissue sculpting across scales and species.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature integrating fracture mechanics and developmental biology.
- Analysis of biological examples demonstrating fracture in morphogenesis.
- Connecting concepts like stress concentration and energy release to tissue adaptation.
Main Results:
- Tissues actively interpret and functionalize fractures for morphogenesis.
- Biological adaptation involves remodeling adhesion, cytoskeleton, and extracellular matrix.
- Fracture contributes to diverse processes including development, homeostasis, reproduction, and egress.
Conclusions:
- Fracture is a versatile morphogenetic tool in living tissues.
- Understanding tissue fracture requires an interdisciplinary approach.
- Fracture drives significant morphogenetic transitions in biological systems.
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