Please note that the list below only shows forthcoming events, which may not include regular events that have not yet been entered for the forthcoming term. Please see the past events page for a list of all seminar series that the department has on offer.
Fri, 05 Dec 2025
11:00 -
12:00
L4
Cell shapes, migration and mechanics determine pattern formation during development
Dr Lakshmi Balasubramaniam
(Engineering Biology University of Cambridge)
Abstract
Blood vessels are among the most vital structures in the human body, forming intricate networks that connect and support various organ systems. Remarkably, during early embryonic development—before any blood vessels are visible—their precursor cells are arranged in stereotypical patterns throughout the embryo. We hypothesize that these patterns guide the directional growth and fusion of precursor cells into hollow tubes formed from initially solid clusters. Further analysis of cells within these clusters reveals unique organization that may influence their differentiation into endothelial and blood cells. In this work, I revisit the problem of pattern formation through the lens of active matter physics, using both developing embryonic systems and in vitro cell culture models where similar patterns are observed during tissue budding. These different systems exhibit similar patterning behavior, driven by changes in cellular activity, adhesion and motility.
Thu, 19 Feb 2026
14:00 -
15:00
Lecture Room 3
Thu, 12 Mar 2026
14:00 -
15:00
Lecture Room 3
Thu, 14 May 2026
14:00 -
15:00
Lecture Room 3
Thu, 18 Jun 2026
14:00 -
15:00
Lecture Room 3