Meeting Abstract

P1.32  Monday, Jan. 4  Force generation and viscoelastic resistance in the amphibian embryonic epithelium VON DASSOW, M.*; DAVIDSON, L.A.; Univ. of Pittsburgh; Univ. of Pittsburgh mvondass@yahoo.com

The morphogenetic movements of amphibian (Xenopus laevis) gastrulation proceed despite great variation in tissue stiffness, including both natural and experimental variation. To explore whether coupling between force generation and embryo stiffness could explain this surprising observation, we are developing methods to measure tissue viscoelasticity and stimulate contraction in the same patch of epithelial tissue from X. laevis embryos. Deformation in response to suction allows measurement of tissue viscoelasticity, while electrical stimulation induces contraction of the partially aspirated tissue. Mechanical stimulation alone was not sufficient to stimulate contraction, and the viscoelastic properties were independent of the rate of stress application. Preliminary results suggest that the mechanical properties of the epithelium are well described by a linear, small strain viscoelastic model, even up to fairly large deformations under suction. Using the measured viscoelastic properties and simple models of contraction mechanics, we can calculate the time-dependent forces driving induced contractions. These methods will allow novel biomechanical approaches to investigating embryonic morphogenesis.