Abstract

The role of mechanics in cell fate choice has been largely overlooked; however, mechanics plays a significant role in getting the right cells to the right place at the right time in development. My lab is investigating the interplay between mechanics and signaling in cell fate decisions, both in stem cells and the embryo. I will present our work showing how cell surface mechanics influences early embryonic spatial patterning and fate transitions in the mouse embryo. I will also show how cell surface mechanics particularly impacts signalling that is instructive for cell fate choice. I will ultimately present a hypothetical feedback loop between mechanics and signaling that has significant impact on cellular plasticity both in development and stem cells.