Quantitative characterization of mesenchymal cell aggregation process

Abstract

Mesenchymal cell aggregation (or named ‘condensation’ in developmental biology) is a fundamental phenomenon in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. Although the mechanisms of mesenchymal cell condensation in kidney, vertebrate and limb bud development are still not clear yet, scientists have found ways to create the mesenchymal cell aggregates in vitro for tissue engineering applications. Mesenchymal cell aggregation with proper size and timing is key to the efficiency of subsequent differentiation and generation of functional cells. Nevertheless, there is still little …