Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
Integr Biol (Camb). 2013 Sep;5(9):1162-73. doi: 10.1039/c3ib40080h.
Although many of the molecular mechanisms that regulate tissue assembly in the embryo have been delineated, the physical forces that couple these mechanisms to actual changes in tissue form remain unclear. Qualitative studies suggest that mechanical loads play a regulatory role in development, but clear quantitative evidence has been lacking. This is partly owing to the complex nature of these problems - embryonic tissues typically undergo large deformations and exhibit evolving, highly viscoelastic material properties. Still, despite these challenges, new disruptive technologies are enabling study of the mechanics of tissue assembly in unprecedented detail. Here, we present novel experimental techniques that enable the study of each component of these physical problems: kinematics, forces, and constitutive properties. Specifically, we detail advances in light sheet microscopy, optical coherence tomography, traction force microscopy, fluorescence force spectroscopy, microrheology and micropatterning. Taken together, these technologies are helping elucidate a more quantitative understanding of the mechanics of tissue assembly.
尽管已经描述了许多调节胚胎组织组装的分子机制，但将这些机制与组织形态的实际变化联系起来的物理力尚不清楚。定性研究表明，机械负荷在发育中起调节作用，但缺乏明确的定量证据。这在一定程度上是由于这些问题的复杂性——胚胎组织通常会发生大变形，并表现出不断变化的、高粘弹性的材料特性。尽管存在这些挑战，但新技术正在推动组织组装力学的研究达到前所未有的细节水平。在这里，我们介绍了一些新的实验技术，可以研究这些物理问题的各个组成部分：运动学、力和本构特性。具体来说，我们详细介绍了光片显微镜、光学相干断层扫描、牵引力显微镜、荧光力谱学、微流变学和微图案化方面的进展。这些技术共同有助于更定量地理解组织组装的力学。
