Topological morphogenesis of neuroepithelial organoids

“Here we [researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany] combine tissue reconstitution and quantitative microscopy to show that tissue topology [spatial arrangements] and shape is governed by two distinct modes of topological transitions. One mode involves the fusion of two separate epithelia and the other involves the fusion of two ends of the same epithelium. The morphological space is captured by a single control parameter that can be traced back to the relative rates of the two epithelial fusion modes. Finally, we identify a pharmacologically accessible pathway that regulates the frequency of two modes of epithelial fusion, and demonstrate the control of organoid topology and shape. The physical principles uncovered here provide fundamental insights into the self-organization of complex tissues.”     MORE

Image Credit:  Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems