title: Self-assembly of structures resembling functional organs by pure populations of cells.
abstract: It is proposed that self-assembly of structures resembling organs can occur by virtue of the properties of the component cells alone. This property is derived from regional specializations of the individual component cells, and can arise in pure populations. This kind of self-assembly is distinct from the phenomenon of 'sorting out' of heterogeneous cell populations, to which this description is usually applied. It is associated with the expression of the differentiated state of the cell. Examples are drawn from the formation of blood vessels, muscles, cartilage elements, kidney, and neurectodermal derivatives.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002477:Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology