Quantitative Biology of Pattern Formation Multicellular organisms are fascinating: they are complex, dynamic, adaptive and display exceptional levels of organisation, yet they come into existence from relatively simple setouts. Our research aims at identifying general principles explaining how the cells self-organise to form tissues with complex architectures and functions. By acquiring a quantitative understanding of this question, we wish to advance our ability to engineer novel in vitro models of development and diseases and to inform future strategies for tissue regeneration and repair. Dr Guillaume Blin Group Leader Contact details Website: Personal Profile Work: 0131 651 9500 Email: Guillaume.Blin@ed.ac.uk Aims and areas of interest Image Our main hypothesis is that patterning is an emergent process. We are particularly interested in understanding how collective interactions occuring at the cellular level may predict the formation of patterns at the tissue level. We also aim to identify general design principles in the formation of tissues which might explain robustness and evolvability of multicellular organisation. We adopt a forward engineering approach combining mathematical modelling with practical experiments. We use synthetic biology, quantitative imaging and micro-fabrication techniques in order to advance our understanding of patterning and our ability to engineer novel in vitro models of development and diseases. In the process we generate techniques and computational tools which we hope will benefit the broader community. HTML Group members Heather MacPherson (Research Assistant) Chloë Thimonier (Postdoctoral Research Associate) Joanne Chang (PhD Student) Miguel Robles Garcia (PhD Student) Maria Dalle Vedove (MScR Student) Collaborators Dr. Linus Schumacher, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine Dr. Thanasis Tsanas, Usher Institute Prof. Dave Robertson, College of Science & Engineering, University of Edinburgh Dr. Elise Cachat, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh Prof. Val Wilson, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine Prof. Sally Lowell, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine This article was published on 2024-02-26