This is a past event
Speaker: Dr Takayoshi Yamamoto, Tokyo Gakugei University, Japan
Title: From Diffusion to Mechanics: Multiscale Control of Embryonic Patterning
Abstract:
During embryogenesis, morphogens are secreted from localized sources and form concentration gradients that determine cell fates, ultimately leading to axis formation in the embryo. Traditionally, these gradients have been explained by simple diffusion models—much like milk dispersing in coffee.
However, direct visualization reveals a far more structured reality. Rather than spreading uniformly, morphogens form discrete punctate distributions on the cell membrane (Mii and Yamamoto et al., Nature Communications, 2017). Furthermore, distinct heparan sulfate modification patterns are distributed in a tissue-specific manner (Yamamoto et al., Developmental Biology, 2023; Development, Growth & Differentiation, 2023; Yamamoto et al., eLife, 2022).
Strikingly, morphogens that bind to internalized forms of heparan sulfate exhibit short-range distribution, whereas those associating with non-internalized forms spread over longer distances (Mii and Yamamoto et al., Nature Communications, 2017; Yamamoto et al., eLife, 2022). Whether this relationship represents a mere correlation or reflects a causal regulatory mechanism will be discussed (Yamamoto, unpublished).
Development is not governed by molecular signals alone. Mechanical forces generated during morphogenesis are increasingly recognized as regulators of gene expression, as also demonstrated in our work (Kaneshima et al., International Journal of Developmental Biology, 2024; Kim et al., International Journal of Developmental Biology, 2025). We further found that the role of tissue tension changes in a stage-dependent manner, even exerting opposite effects at different developmental stages.
In this seminar, I will discuss how spatial regulation beyond classical diffusion models and stage-dependent mechanical control together contribute to embryonic pattern formation across molecular and mechanical scales.
- Speaker
- Dr Takayoshi Yamamoto (Tokyo Gakugei University, Japan)
- Hosted by
- Department of Physics
- Venue
- Meston 311