Over several decades genetic studies have unraveled many molecular mechanisms that underlie the signaling networks guiding morphogenesis, but the mechanical forces at work remain much less well understood. Accumulation of fluid within a luminal space can generate outward hydrostatic pressure capable of shaping morphogenesis at several scales, ranging from individual organs to the entire vertebr...

The cerebellum has a unique morphology characterized by fine folds called folia. During cerebellar morphogenesis, folia formation (foliation) proceeds with granule cell (GC) proliferation in an external granular layer, and subsequent migration to internal layer (IGL). GC is guided along Bergmann glial (BG) fibers, whose orientation depends on the deformation of tissue during formation. aim this...

Investigated the histological features of structure hepar one-day-old lambs (ODL) using a complex morphological techniques. It was found that in ODL is formed by stroma and parenchyma. The stromal elements organ are loose lugs hematopoietic connective tissue, which turn forms capsule (2.80-7.23 microns thick), as well septa lobules, include triads paravasal tissue efferent blood vessels. As res...

extending and retracting numerous actin-rich protrusions during tubule morphogenesis. Interestingly, tubule morphogenesis fails in mutant embryos lacking tip cells and supports a role for tip cells during this phase of tubule development. Moreover, the tip cells make highly specific contacts with target tissues once tubule morphogenesis is complete and these persist during larval life, raising ...

Branching morphogenesis is an important developmental process for many organs, including the salivary glands. Whereas epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, which are cell-to-cell communications, are known to drive branching morphogenesis, the molecular mechanisms responsible for those inductive interactions are still largely unknown. Cell growth factors and integrins are known to be regulators o...

extending and retracting numerous actin-rich protrusions during tubule morphogenesis. Interestingly, tubule morphogenesis fails in mutant embryos lacking tip cells and supports a role for tip cells during this phase of tubule development. Moreover, the tip cells make highly specific contacts with target tissues once tubule morphogenesis is complete and these persist during larval life, raising ...

Embryonic development requires a complex series of relative cellular movements and shape changes that are generally referred to as morphogenesis. Although some of the mechanisms underlying morphogenesis have been identified, the process is still poorly understood. Here, we address mechanisms of epithelial morphogenesis using the vertebrate lens as a model system. We show that the apical constri...

Many mammalian organs undergo branching morphogenesis to create highly arborized structures with maximized surface area for specialized organ function. Cooperative cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions that sculpt the emerging tissue architecture are guided by dynamic basement membranes. Properties of the basement membrane are reciprocally controlled by the interacting epithelial and mesenchymal ...

Vascular morphogenesis is a key process for development, reproduction, and pathogenesis. Thus understanding the mechanisms of this process is of pathophysiological importance. Despite the fact that collagen I is the most abundant and potent promorphogenic molecule known, the molecular mechanisms by which this protein regulates endothelial cell tube morphogenesis are still unclear. Here we provi...

In these laboratory exercises, developed for a sophomore/junior-level undergraduate course in Developmental Biology, students explore the processes of differentiation and morphogenesis in sea urchin embryos by monitoring the spatio-temporal expression pattern of the endoderm marker, alkaline phosphatase. Once students have determined the normal alkaline phosphatase expression pattern, they are ...