Novel mechanisms for cellular centering and symmetry breaking involving persistent contractile actomyosin flows and their hydrodynamic interactions with the fluid cytosol are presented and studied using a minimal, reconstituted system.
A reconstituted system has been developed that self-organizes into dynamic actin cortices capable of spontaneous polarization, similar to the initial cortical polarization observed in cells during embryogenesis and development.
Experiments reveal mechanisms through which Caenorhabditis elegans zygotes depleted of Aurora A or lacking centrosomes spontaneously establish two posterior PAR-2 domains, one at each pole, in a curvature-dependent manner.
Spontaneous elongation of epithelial colonies is related to the orientation of the mean nematic cell elongation field, as shown and tested with experiments and theory.
During early embryogenesis of the sea urchin, asymmetrical positioning of the dorsal/ventral organizer relies upon the suppression of organizer activities in dorsal blastomeres by the Hbox12 homeodomain-containing repressor.
Dynamic control of intrinsic pluripotent multicellular self-organization to yield robust symmetry breaking patterns that recapitulate morphogenic processes associated with developmental events.
Optogenetic control of Cdc42 activation during polarization of budding yeast demonstrates a cell cycle regulated switch between two distinct modes of positive feedback.
Regional differences in activator and inhibitor signals alter hair cycle pace across mouse skin and produce unique fur renewal 'landscapes', with fastest renewal on the ventrum and slowest renewal on the ear pinnae.
