Biophysics of morphogenesis in the vertebrate lung

Samhita P. Banavar, Eric W. Fowler, Celeste M. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Morphogenesis is a physical process that sculpts the final functional forms of tissues and organs. Remarkably, the lungs of terrestrial vertebrates vary dramatically in form across species, despite providing the same function of transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. These divergent forms arise from distinct physical processes through which the epithelium of the embryonic lung responds to the mechanical properties of its surrounding mesenchymal microenvironment. Here we compare the physical processes that guide folding of the lung epithelium in mammals, birds, and reptiles, and suggest a conceptual framework that reconciles how conserved molecular signaling generates divergent mechanical forces across these species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)65-86
Number of pages22
JournalCurrent Topics in Developmental Biology
Volume160
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Keywords

  • Morphodynamics

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