Forces and Tension in Development

The role of physical forces in molding tissues, in creating vessels, and in generating asymmetries is becoming the next frontier in developmental biology. While at the turn of the 19th century scientists commonly described biological phenomena in terms of mechanics, this appreciation was discontinued for most of the 20th century. In part due to the emergence of novel tools, it is now possible to reappraise the contribution of mechanics and ask questions such as: How can a cell deform and yet remain in contact with its neighbors? How does a cell respond to pressure? How do cells with different properties separate? How do cells actually sense forces? How can microscopic cilia guide the emergence of new structures? Do forces influence stem cell differentiation? How do forces affect disease progression? This book presents some of the most advanced experimental systems in which the role of forces has been dissected. It explores the physical principles accounting for how forces can affect soft matter such as our cells, and presents some of the methods used to measure or assess the role of forces. It should appeal both to physicists eager to get familiar with biological systems and to biologists curious about the physical principles behind what they observe.