Only two weeks after fertilization, the first sign of the formation of the three axes of the human body (head/tail, ventral/dorsal, and right/left) begins to appear. At this stage, known as ...

Small fold – big role: A tissue fold known as the cephalic furrow, an evolutionary novelty that forms between the head and the trunk of fly embryos, plays a mechanical role in stabilizing embryonic ...

Mechanical forces shape tissues and organs during the development of an embryo through a process called morphogenesis. These forces cause tissues to push and pull on each other, providing essential ...

The same pulling force that causes “tears” in a glass of wine also shapes embryos. It’s another example of how genes exploit mechanical forces for growth and development. In March, a group of ...

Scientists in the Brivanlou lab used light-inducible gene expression (yellow circle) and embryo models to demonstrate that, at the start of gastrulation, body-axis formation requires an interplay ...

Trial of strength at the cellular level: Cells are in constant competition with each other and so eliminate diseased or unwanted cells. Cell competition is therefore a central principle for ...