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SUMMARY:Simple physical views on cell and embryo morphogenesis - Hervé Tu
 rlier (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)
DTSTART:20160630T120000Z
DTEND:20160630T130000Z
UID:TALK66705@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Julius Bier Kirkegaard
DESCRIPTION:The morphogenesis of embryos has been fascinating biologists\,
  physicists\, and mathematicians since the beginning 19th century. Yet\, t
 he precise physical principles governing the shape and dynamics of single 
 cells and early embryos remain poorly characterized. Building on tension m
 odels of cell’s morphology\, I will present here simple physical approac
 hes on two fundamental morphogenetic processes in early embryogenesis: cel
 l division and cell-cell interaction.\n\nIn the first part\, I will show t
 hat cell division can be seen as a first order transition between two stab
 le mechanical states\, leading to an experimentally testable hysteresis be
 havior. I will then present a dynamic model for the cell surface\, which c
 an accurately reproduce essential features of cell division in embryos\, s
 uch as the independence of division time with cell size. Finally\, using r
 ecent active gel theories for motor-filament systems\, I will show that th
 e reorganization of the filamentous structure at the cell surface upon mot
 or activity may play an important mechanical role in cell division.\n\nIn 
 a second part\, I will describe the physical process of cell positioning i
 n early mammalian embryos. Using a simple cell doublet model\, I will show
  that differences in surface tensions both within and between cells is eno
 ugh to recapitulate the two first morphogenetic processes in the early mou
 se embryo: compaction and internalization. I will end up my talk by illust
 rating these two processes for a realistic 3-dimensional embryo with advan
 ced multicellular numerical simulations.
LOCATION:MR11\, Centre for Mathematical Sciences\, Wilberforce Road\, Camb
 ridge
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