About this Research Topic
The generation of structural and functional asymmetries within cells and tissues relies on complex molecular circuits, which are finely tuned to generate the plethora of cell types and organs that make up multicellular organisms. The study of cell polarity at different scales has revealed a modularity of these circuits that confers the plasticity required to act across such a wide range of contexts. Understanding the dynamic principles of this plasticity from both a mechanical and biochemical perspective is key to unravelling the role of cell polarity in development and disease.
This research topic aims to facilitate the discussion of the most recent findings on cell polarity between scientists studying this process in different systems and on different scales. We encourage the submission of manuscripts that range from fundamental principles of cell polarity development to disease-related studies, including the use of in vitro approaches and traditional and unconventional model organisms. We particularly wish to stimulate the discussion between cell biologists, physicists, biochemists and engineers and so encourage the submission of studies on theoretical modelling of polarity networks that aim at understanding the interplay between biomechanics and cell polarization. Moreover, we invite papers that review key emerging ideas and new directions in the field, as well as papers that consider novel approaches of studying polarity.
This Research topic welcomes Original Research, Methods, Reviews and Opinion articles that represent a step forward of our understanding of the following subtopics:
• Dynamic remodeling of cell and tissue asymmetry during development (e.g. cell division, cell fate specification, cell migration, morphogenesis, EMT)
• Biomechanical control and the interplay between polarity cues, cell adhesion, and the cytoskeleton
• Theoretical modeling of polarity networks and self-organized symmetry breaking
• Studying polarity and morphogenesis in plants, ES cells, organoids and unconventional model organisms
• Engineering polarity by bottom-up synthetic biology approaches
• Understanding disease relevant aspects of faulty cell polarity regulation or maintenance to emphasize the classical motivation to study developmental biology
A full list of accepted article types, including descriptions, can be found at this link
Keywords: cell polarity, asymmetry, symmetry breaking
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
