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Developmental biology

Twisting the body into shape

Molecular signals are not the only forces that pattern and shape the developing embryo. Mechanical stresses sensed by cells also seem to be involved in creating the body plan.

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Figure 1: The mechanics of shaping the digestive tract.

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Correspondence to Ian C. Scott or Didier Y. R. Stainier.

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Scott, I., Stainier, D. Twisting the body into shape. Nature 425, 461–463 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/425461a

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