The importance of structured noise in the generation of self-organizing tissue patterns through contact-mediated cell–cell signalling
2010
The Role of Structured Noise in Tissue Patterning
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Michael Cohen, Buzz Baum, Mark Miodownik
Primary Institution: University College London
Hypothesis
How does structured noise influence the generation of self-organizing tissue patterns through cell signaling?
Conclusion
Structured noise enhances the refinement and optimization of tissue patterns during development.
Supporting Evidence
- Dynamic filopodia establish transient signaling contacts between non-neighbouring cells.
- Structured noise contributes to the gradual refinement of tissue patterns.
- Patterns of spots and stripes can be generated through signaling with noise.
Takeaway
Cells can communicate in a way that helps them organize into patterns, and sometimes noise in their signals can actually help them do this better.
Methodology
A computational model using asynchronous cellular automata was developed to analyze the role of noise in lateral inhibition-mediated patterning.
Limitations
The model may oversimplify the complex biological processes involved in tissue patterning.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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