Directed cell migration is a versatile mechanism for rapid developmental pattern formation

Abstract

The evolution of multicellular organisms hinges on self-organization mechanisms that generate tissues with diverse functions. A central process is the breaking of symmetry to form spatial patterns from initially uniform conditions. Among the various mechanisms proposed, directed cell migration--driven by chemotaxis, durotaxis, differential adhesion or other processes--offers a compelling strategy to organize tissues rapidly and robustly. Here, we unify these concepts into a general mathematical framework and show that it can produce diverse spatial patterns across one-, two-, and three-dimensional domains. Using numerical simulations and stability theory, we characterize the emergence, geometry, and formation speed of these patterns. Our findings provide a mechanistic understanding of morphogenesis beyond the traditional chemical or mechanical patterning paradigms and offer a quantitative foundation to guide pattern formation in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.