Abstract
A finite element-based simulation of neurulation, a critical developmental event common to all vertebrates, is presented for an amphibian embryo. During this process, a sheet of tissue rolls up to form a tube, the precursor of the spinal cord and brain. Material property data for the simulation are based on the cellular fabric of the tissues and on tensile test data, and geometric data are obtained from three-dimensional reconstructions. A spatio-temporal correlation system is used to organize and correlate the data and to construct the finite element model. The simulations predict morphogenetic movements similar to those which occur in real embryos.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, and Watson JD 1989, Molecular Biology of the Cell 2nd Edition, Garland Publishing, New York.
Bootsma G, 2003, Spatial data correlation, Cive 701 course project, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo.
Bootsma G.J. and Brodland G.W. 2005. Automated 3-D reconstruction of the surface of live earlystage amphibian embryos. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 52:1407–1414.
Brodland G.W. and Clausi D.A. 1994. Embryonic tissue morphogenesis modeled by FEM. J Biomech Eng.116:146–155.
Brodland G.W. and Veldhuis J.H. 1998. Three-dimensional reconstruction of live embryos using robotic macroscope images. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 45:1173–1181.
Brodland G.W and Chen H.H, 2000, The mechanics of cell sorting and envelopment, J. Biomech. 33, 845–851.
Brodland G.W. 2003. New information from cell aggregate compression tests and its implications for theories of cell sorting. Biorheology. 40:273–277.
Brodland G.W., Wiebe C.J., 2004. Mechanical effects of cell anisotropy on epithelia. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering 7(2), 91–99.
Brodland G.W., 2005, Do Lamellipodia Have the Mechanical Capacity to Drive Convergent Extension? International Journal of Developmental Biology
Brodland G.W., Chen, D.I-L., Veldhuis J.H., 2005, A cell-based constitutive model for embryonic epithelia and other planar aggregates of biological cells, International Journal of Plasticity (ready to print).
Chen C.S, Tan J, Tien J 2004. Mechanotransduction at cell-matrix and cell-cell contacts. Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 6:275–302.
Chen H.H and Brodland G.W 2000, Cell-level finite element studies of viscous cells in planar aggregates, ASME J. Biomech. Eng. 122, 394–401.
Huang S, Ingber D.E, 1999, The structural and mechanical complexity of cell-growth control, Nat Cell Biol 1, 131–138.
Gilbert S.F., 2003, Development Biology, Seventh Edition, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland.
Lecuit T and Pilot F. 2003. Developmental control of cell morphogenesis: a focus on membrane growth. Nat Cell Biol. 5:103–108.
Moore K. L., 1983 Before We Are Born, W.B. Saunders Company.
Moore K.A., Polte T, Huang S, Shi B, Alsberg E, Sunday M.E, Ingber D.E., 2005, Control of basement membrane remodeling and epithelial branching morphogenesis in embryonic lung by Rho and Cytoskeletal tension, Developmental Dynamics 232, 268–281.
Robinson D.N. and Spudich J.A. 2004 Mechanics and regulation of cytokinesis. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 16:182–188.
Stephanou A and Tracqui P. 2002. Cytomechanics of cell deformations and migration: from models to experiments. C R Biol. 325:295–308.
Swartz M.A., Tschumperlin D.J., Kamm R.D., Drazen J.M. 2001. Mechanical stress is communicated between different cell types to elicit matrix remodeling. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 98:6180–6185.
Wiebe C. and Brodland G.W. 2005. Tensile properties of embryonic epithelia measured using a novel instrument. J Biomech. 38:2087–2094.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2006 Springer
About this paper
Cite this paper
Chen, X., Wayne Brodland, G. (2006). The Mechanics of Early Embryo Development: Insights from Finite Element Modeling. In: Pandey, M., Xie, WC., Xu, L. (eds) Advances in Engineering Structures, Mechanics & Construction. Solid Mechanics and Its Applications, vol 140. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4891-2_38
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4891-2_38
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-4890-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-4891-3
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)