title: Embryonic cleavage modeling as a computational approach to sphere packing problem.
abstract: Embryonic cleavage depends on the distribution in the cytosol of molecular signals that influence mitotic spindle positioning. By implementing the New Kind of Science (NKS) theory in which a simple rule can evolve with a complex overall behavior, here we propose a new theoretical approach that is capable of modeling the mechanisms of early embryonic cleavage dynamics in the ascidian Styela Partita. The model shows that the same spindle pole orientation rule governs the first five embryonic cleavages, which progressively allow the transition from one to thirty-two daughter cells. Finally, we present evidence of a strong similarity between Kepler's Sphere Packing Problem and embryonic cleavage, which thus represents a prominent example of natural computing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncological Sciences and Division of Molecular Angiogenesis, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, University of Torino School of Medicine, 10060 Candiolo, Italy. luca.zammataro@ircc.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zammataro
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serini
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bussolino
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000502:physiology; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000196:embryology; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000502:physiology; D014561:Urochordata / Q000196:embryology*