Living matter: Generic mechanisms in embryonic tissue morphogenesis.

摘要

Embryonic tissue morphogenesis is the establishment of the complex organization of tissues and organs during embryonic development, which involves the development of spatial pattern and structure via the growth & death, differentiation and migration of individual cells. Generic mechanisms are physical processes that are broadly applicable to both living and non-living systems, contrasted with 'genetic' mechanisms---highly evolved, biomolecular processes. The striking resemblance between patterns generated by some known generic physical mechanisms and patterns observed in morphogenesis tempts us to explain biological development in terms of generic mechanisms. By studying two specific developmental events, chick limb development and early chick gastrulation theoretically, computationally and experimentally, I will discuss possible scenarios of how generic mechanisms especially cell adhesion, under genetic regulation, give rise to the shape and pattern observed in embryonic tissue morphogenesis.