Surprisingly simple mechanical behavior of a complex embryonic tissue.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies suggest that mechanical feedback could coordinate morphogenetic events in embryos. Furthermore, embryonic tissues have complex structure and composition and undergo large deformations during morphogenesis. Hence we expect highly non-linear and loading-rate dependent tissue mechanical properties in embryos.

Methodology/principal findings

We used micro-aspiration to test whether a simple linear viscoelastic model was sufficient to describe the mechanical behavior of gastrula stage Xenopus laevis embryonic tissue in vivo. We tested whether these embryonic tissues change their mechanical properties in response to mechanical stimuli but found no evidence of changes in the viscoelastic properties of the tissue in response to stress or stress application

SUBMITTER: von Dassow M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3011006 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature