Embryogenesis Explained

Ryan Kerney AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, December 21, 2011 Abstract My goal in this presentation is to explore the evidence that physical forces influence the order and timing of skull bone formation in frogs. A combination of comparative and experimental evidence suggests a link between bone formation […]

Stephen M. Levin Ezekiel Biomechanics Group SMLevin@biotensegrity.com Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, December 14, 2011 Abstract Embryologic development, from ‘origin of life’ to organism, has been regarded by scientists as a series of chance occurrences, the “Blind Watchmaker” theory popularized by Richard Dawkins, “a universe without design”. What is argued in this talk is […]

Bradly Alicea Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory Michigan State University Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, February 26, 2009 Abstract In recent years, biotechnological advances have allowed for differentiated cells representing one state (e.g. fibroblasts) to be converted into both pluripotent (e.g. stem-like) and differentiated (e.g. neuronal) cell types. While many studies have focused on optimizing the […]

David Holloway Mathematics, British Columbia Institute of Technology Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, November 30, 2011 Abstract Chemical pattern formation is critical for putting differentiation factors and growth catalysts in the correct locations during plant morphogenesis. Turing-type reaction-diffusion theory provides a framework for understanding patterning dynamics. The great challenge for understanding chemical patterning in […]

Richard Gordon gordonr@cc.umanitoba.ca Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory Panacea, Florida, USA Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, November 23, 2011 Abstract Alan Turing not only introduced the idea that instabilities in diffusion-reaction processes could lead to spatial patterns of morphogenesis, but also gave us a model for cell differentiation by symmetry breaking. I show that such a […]

Bruce Damer Digital Space Commons BDamer@digitalspace.com Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, November 16, 2011 Abstract (now Dr.) Bruce Damer will present the results of three years of work on the Evolution Grid (EvoGrid) which is a simulation grid demonstrating an approach to origin of life endeavours. Completed by a team at DigitalSpace including past […]

Vasily Ogryzko CNRS UMR-8126 Universite Paris-sud Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, November 2 and 9, 2009 Abstract According to a widely held opinion, Life corresponds to a physical state far from equilibrium. Thus, whereas such fundamental notion of equilibrium physics as ‘ground state’ is widely used to describe the properties of biological macromolecules or […]

Eva E. Deinum Department of Biomolecular Systems FOM institute AMOLF Amsterdam, The Netherlands Presented in the Embryo Physics Course, October 26, 2011 Abstract The shape and development of plant cells and their tissues is largely controlled by the cell wall: the structural and mechanical anisotropy of the wall feeds back on the shape of the […]