SoftBio Theory Seminar: Shaping morphogenetic gradients - from molecules to tissues and back

How morphogen gradients are formed has been under debate since the term was first coinedby Alan Turing. Can diffusion alone lead to the robust formation of morphogen gradients? Orare cell processes like transcytosis important to move molecules across tissues?How doesthe complex geometry of the extracellular space determine the diffusive and transportproperties of morphogen molecules? In this talk I will present work that combinesexperiments and theoretical models to address these questions. In addition, I will discuss thedesign principles for morphogen gradient formation and the ways these can lead torobustness to perturbations such as tissue size and the molecular numbers in the system.