On the principles of multicellular organism development Authors David Frigola Department of Condensed Matter Physiscs, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia. Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia José M. Sancho Department of Condensed Matter Physiscs, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia. Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Marta Ibañes Department of Condensed Matter Physiscs, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia. Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Keywords: development, morphogen, attractor, non-equilibrium, differentiation, self-organization, lateral inhibition, multistep signaling, ultrasensitive response, bistability, fluctuation Abstract Non-equilibrium physics has traditionally dealt mostly with inanimate matter. Yet, in the last decades there has been increasing interest in understanding living systems from this perspective. One example is using the framework and tools of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and nonlinear physics to study how living organisms composed of many differentiated cells develop from a single initial cell. The dynamic process of multicellular organism development is out of equilibrium, in that it consumes and dissipates energy. It also involves the formation of many precise and complex structures. Herein we review some of the paradigms being used that focus on how these multicellular structures initially emerge at the molecular level. [Contrib Sci 11(2):215-223 (2015)]Keywords: development · morphogen · attractor · non-equilibrium · differentiation · self-organization · lateral inhibition · multistep signaling · ultrasensitive response · bistability · fluctuation Downloads PDF Issue Vol. 11 No. 2 (2015) Section Biophysics License This work is subject, unless the contrary is indicated in the text, the photographs or in other illustrations, to an Attribution —Non-Commercial— No Derivative Works 3.0 Creative Commons License, the full text of which can be consulted at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/. You are free to share, copy, distribute and transmit the work provided that the author is credited and reuse of the material is restricted to non-commercial purposes only and that no derivative works are created from the original material.
