Biology Colloquium: Self-organized versus controlled guidance of cells and tissues

Cell and tissue movement plays a critical role in development and disease, including tissue morphogenesis, cancer invasion and immune response. Directional migration of cells and tissues relies on external chemical or mechanical guidance cues, which were traditionally thought to act in a globally controlled pattern. However, recent evidence suggests that collective cell movement is often driven by locally self-generated gradients, rather than pre-patterned guidance cues. In this talk I will compare self-organized vs. global guidance mechanisms by focusing on two systems: (i) the development of branched tissues like neurons and lymphatic networks, and (ii) collective migration of immune cells. I will introduce theoretical models to predict quantitative signatures of self-organized vs. controlled guidance in experimental data at both scales. Finally, I will discuss the potential of self-generated gradients as a robust mechanism to navigate mixed cell populations and to ensure tissue-scale optimization strategies.