Biologists have long believed that genetic instructions play a central role in the growth and development of living organisms. However, recent studies suggest that mechanical forces may also be at play. Researchers have discovered that certain biological processes can be explained by the principles of physics, including surface tension and fluid dynamics.
One notable example is the Marangoni effect, which was first described by James Thomson in 1855. This phenomenon occurs when two liquids with different surface tensions meet, causing one liquid to flow up the side of a container or object due to its higher surface tension. In the case of wine, this effect causes the wine to form "tears" or "legs" on the sides of a glass.
Similarly, researchers have found that embryos develop and grow in response to mechanical forces, including cell movement, tissue rearrangement, and fluid dynamics. For instance, a study published in Quanta Magazine discovered that cells in mouse embryos flow up the sides of a gastruloid (a bundle of stem cells) before forming a stream of tissue flowing down the middle.
These findings have led some scientists to question the traditional view of biology as being solely driven by genetic instructions. Instead, they suggest that mechanical forces may play a more significant role in shaping organisms than previously thought.
The study also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research, where biologists and physicists work together to understand complex biological systems. As Dr. Pierre-François Lenne, one of the researchers behind the recent study, notes, "the hypothesis is that physics and mechanics can help us understand the biology at the tissue scale."
While more research is needed to fully understand the role of mechanical forces in biology, these findings have significant implications for our understanding of development, growth, and evolution. As Dr. Alexandre Kabla notes, "To many of us, it seems natural that where there's motion, mechanics is likely to be involved."
One notable example is the Marangoni effect, which was first described by James Thomson in 1855. This phenomenon occurs when two liquids with different surface tensions meet, causing one liquid to flow up the side of a container or object due to its higher surface tension. In the case of wine, this effect causes the wine to form "tears" or "legs" on the sides of a glass.
Similarly, researchers have found that embryos develop and grow in response to mechanical forces, including cell movement, tissue rearrangement, and fluid dynamics. For instance, a study published in Quanta Magazine discovered that cells in mouse embryos flow up the sides of a gastruloid (a bundle of stem cells) before forming a stream of tissue flowing down the middle.
These findings have led some scientists to question the traditional view of biology as being solely driven by genetic instructions. Instead, they suggest that mechanical forces may play a more significant role in shaping organisms than previously thought.
The study also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research, where biologists and physicists work together to understand complex biological systems. As Dr. Pierre-François Lenne, one of the researchers behind the recent study, notes, "the hypothesis is that physics and mechanics can help us understand the biology at the tissue scale."
While more research is needed to fully understand the role of mechanical forces in biology, these findings have significant implications for our understanding of development, growth, and evolution. As Dr. Alexandre Kabla notes, "To many of us, it seems natural that where there's motion, mechanics is likely to be involved."
I'm not surprised about the whole mechanical forces thing, but I do think it's a bit too early to say they're playing a central role in growth and development. I mean, we've only just started seeing the effects of this research and more studies are needed before we can make any sweeping statements. Still, it's pretty cool that biologists and physicists are working together to get a better understanding of how living organisms work. The idea that surface tension and fluid dynamics could be involved in things like embryo development is mind-blowing! But at the same time, I'm not convinced that we're giving genetic instructions the credit they deserve just yet. Maybe it's a case of mechanical forces helping out, but also providing some guidance for the biological processes? Either way, this research has got me curious and I'll be keeping an eye on it to see where it takes us! 
also, I'm not sure I buy into this idea of biology being solely driven by genetics... I mean, can't humans just be weird and unpredictable without all these fancy mechanics getting involved? 
... I mean, who would've thought that physics has so much to do with biology? But at the same time, isn't it kinda obvious? Like, have you ever seen a leaf move in the wind without some force at play? 
So yeah, meh... maybe mechanical forces are more important than we thought, but I'm still not entirely sold on this idea. I mean, what about all the other factors that influence growth and development? Like, isn't it possible that both genetics and mechanics are at work here? 
. The idea that cells can actually flow up the sides of an embryo before forming tissue on the inside? That's just wild 
. And what's with these "tears" on wine glasses? Who knew science could be so... glass-related? 
. ITS ALSO REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS RESEARCH IS FORGING NEW PATHWAYS BETWEEN PHYSICS AND BIOLOGY 