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Morphogenesis is the set of processes that generate shape and form in the embryo – an important area within developmental biology. An exciting and up-to-the-minute account of the very latest research into the factors that create biological form, Mechanisms of Morphogenesis, second edition is a text reference on the mechanisms of cell and tissue morphogenesis in a diverse array of organisms, including prokaryotes, animals, plants and fungi.
By combining hard data with computer modeling, Mechanisms of Morphogenesis, second edition equips readers with a much broader understanding of the scope of modern research than is otherwise available. Mechanisms of Morphogenesis focuses on the ways in which the genetic program is translated to generate cell shape, to direct cell migration, and to produce the shape, form and rates of growth of the various tissues. Each topic is illustrated with experimental data from real systems, with particular reference to gaps in current knowledge and pointers to future.
1) Introductory Section
1.1 General introduction
1.2 Key principles of morphogenesis
1.3 The power and limitations of self-assembly
2) Cell shape and the cell morphogenesis
2.1 Morphogenesis by changing cell shape: a brief overview
2.2 Shape in animal cells: tensegrity
2.3 Making cellular processes
2.4 Shape in plant cells
3) Cell Migration
3.1 Cell migration in development: a brief overview
3.2 The nanomachinery of locomotion
3.3 Guidance by chemotaxis
3.4 Guidance by galvanotaxis
3.5 Guidance by contact
3.6 Waypoint navigation in the embryo
3.7 Condensation of cells
4) Epithelial Morphogenesis
4.1 The epithelial state – brief overview
4.2 Neighbour exchange and convergent extension
4.3 Closure of holes
4.4 Invagination and evagination
4.5 Epithelial fusion
4.6 Epithelial Branching
5) Morphogenesis by cell proliferation and death
5.1 Growth, proliferation and death – a brief introduction
5.2 Morphogenesis by orientated cell division
5.3 Morphogenesis by elective cell death
6) Conclusion and perspectives
Reviews of the first edition:
"[...] written in acessible prose. Each chapter outlines experiments that explore a basic central concept. The book is richly illustrated with drawings and well supported by an impressive, up-to-date literature base. Young scientists could profit immensely from this book, as it points out to potential avenues of further fruitful research. For the established researcher, the book will provide an excellent update on current advances, and several simple exercises provided in footnotes will be useful in the classroom. Davies wisely makes no attempt to provide comprehensive coverage, but uses persuasive logic to draw out the robust argument that although form is ultimately dependent on cells constructing tissues, complexity in biological sytems can and does arise by simple mechanisms at the cellular level. The result is a unique perspective on a set of problems of fundamental importance to molecular, cell and developmental biologists.
-Chris B. Cameron, University of Montreal, in Bioscience
"This beautiful book presents an overview of new concepts in this exciting field [...] an excellent guide for a seminar course [...] carefully edited and a joy to read. The color illustrations are beautifully prepared and informative [...] Each chapter includes an extensive bibliography enabling the reader to gain immediate access to the literature. The author provides an excellent blend of theory and experimental biology. The problems faced by the embryo are identified and experimental findings are interpreted. The grand unifying theme is 'adaptive self-organization'. This is the kind of interpretation and integration of science that is so valuable. It is refreshing to read a book that provides more than just a simple list of isolated facts [...] I highly recommend it for biologists, as well as students of biophysics and bioengineering. It provides a great overview of major findings and new paradigms in the study of biological structure and function."
- Bruce A Fenderson, Ph.D, Thomas Jefferson University for Doody's
