title: Global cell sorting in the C. elegans embryo defines a new mechanism for pattern formation.
abstract: 4D microscopic observations of Caenorhabditis elegans development show that the nematode uses an unprecedented strategy for development. The embryo achieves pattern formation by sorting cells, through far-ranging movements, into coherent regions before morphogenesis is initiated. This sorting of cells is coupled to their particular fate. If cell identity is altered by experiment, cells are rerouted to positions appropriate to their new fates even across the whole embryo. This cell behavior defines a new mechanism of pattern formation, a mechanism that is also found in other animals. We call this new mechanism "cell focusing". When the fate of cells is changed, they move to new positions which also affect the shape of the body. Thus, this process is also important for morphogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Technische Universität Braunschweig Carolo Wilhelmina, Institut für Genetik, Spielmann Str. 7, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany. r.schnabel@tu-bs.de
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schnabel
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.forename: Arend
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hintze
authors.forename: Anja-Kristina
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hejnol
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meinhardt
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hutter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological