Figure 11From: Multiscale mechanobiology: mechanics at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levelsForce as an attractive morphogen. a, Experimental setup. Epithelial cells (The Human MCF-10A) were spread on basement membrane (BM) gels (ECM1) to form epithelial acini, followed by the overlay of collagen (ECM2) on top. b, Representative branch induction by mechanical attraction (black arrow) between acini. Note branches originated from different acini attract each other, while branches originated from the same acinus move in opposite direction (black and white arrows). The attraction was inhibited when cells were treated with myosin inhibitor Blebbistatin (10 μM). Time is in hour and minute. Scale bar: 100 μm.Back to article page