Dissecting Organismal Morphogenesis by Bridging Genetics and Biophysics

Multicellular organisms develop complex shapes from much simpler, single-celled zygotes through a process commonly called morphogenesis. Morphogenesis involves an interplay between several factors, ranging from the gene regulatory networks determining cell fate and differentiation to the mechanical processes underlying cell and tissue shape changes. Thus, the study of morphogenesis has historically been based on multidisciplinary approaches at the interface of biology with physics and mathematics. Recent technological advances have further improved our ability to study morphogenesis by bridging the gap between the genetic and biophysical factors through the development of new tools for visualizing, analyzing, and perturbing these factors and their biochemical intermediaries. Here, we review how a combination of genetic, microscopic, biophysical, and biochemical approaches has aided our attempts to understandmorphogenesis and discuss potential approaches that may be beneficial to such an inquiry in the future.

Automated summary

The development of complex shapes in multicellular organisms from single-celled zygotes, known as morphogenesis, involves an interplay between genetic, cellular, and mechanical factors. Multidisciplinary approaches at the interface of biology, physics, and mathematics have historically been used to study morphogenesis. Recent technological advances have improved our ability to visualize, analyze, and manipulate the genetic and biophysical factors involved in morphogenesis.