Modeling of cellular movements in a complex animal system

Understanding how cells self-organize into complex multicellular systems is a fundamental challenge in biology. Here we propose to advance the field in a project that combines advanced microscopy, tension measurements with laser ablations, mechanical modeling of cell shapes and experimental evaluation of hypotheses. As a powerful model for complex multicellular systems we will use the embryogenesis of the roundworm C. elegans. The embryo develops from a single cell to a free moving larvae in only 12 hours, and is nearly invariant. It is also transparent, making observations on the cellular movements straightforward. We will focus on several complex movements surrounding the early to mid-stage gastrulation. The aim is to uncover how the movements arise out of a complex mix of force generation, such as cortical tensions, the generation of pulling forces of cells on neighboring cells and cellular adhesion.