Gastrulation and Tissue Mechanics

This lecture covers the mechanisms of morphogenesis, including cell-cell adhesion, actin and myosin interactions, oriented cleavage, gastrulation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It explores how tissues bend and fold, driven by differential adhesion and surface tension. The role of cadherins in cell sorting, the balance of forces at contact points, and the regulation of myosin activity are discussed. The lecture also delves into the genetic control of gastrulation in sea urchins and mice, as well as the importance of actomyosin in shaping cellular structures. Convergent extension, neural tube formation, and the consequences of genetic mutations on gastrulation are also examined.