Make or break for cellular tissues
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 20:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Models developed to study liquids are used to investigate the mechanics of cellular tissues, which could further our understanding of embryonic development and cancer. Scientists have demonstrated that the behavior of a thin layer of cells in contact with an unfavorable substrate is akin to that of thin fluid or elastic films. Understanding the mechanism by which a thin layer of cells splits into disjointed patches, thus breaking the layer's structural integrity, bears great significance because the human tissue, or epithelium, covering organs can only fulfill its role if there are no holes or gaps between the cells.