Multicellularity
Multicellularity - Related Videos
09:20
Generation of Multicellular Human Primary Endometrial Organoids
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Cited by 37 •
2019
A protocol to generate human primary endometrial organoids that consist of epithelial and stromal cells and retain characteristics of the native endometrial tissue is presented. This protocol describes methods from uterine tissue acquisition to the histologic processing of endometrial organoids.
01:29
Exocrine Glands: Unicellular and Multicellular Glands
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2025
Exocrine glands are classified as unicellular and multicellular. The unicellular glands are scattered single cells, such as goblet cells, found in the mucous membranes of the small and large intestines. On the other hand, multicellular exocrine glands develop as secretory sheets, like the internal lining of the abdomen or chest. Such secretory sheets release their secretions directly into the lumen of these organs. In addition, some multicellular glands have deep-seated secretory units to...
11:24
Evaporation-reducing Culture Condition Increases the Reproducibility of Multicellular Spheroid Formation in Microtiter Plates
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Cited by 6 •
2017
The uneven loss of medium from microtiter plates affects the reproducibility of uniform multicellular tumor spheroid formation. Improving culture conditions to reduce significant medium loss will improve the reproducibility of spheroid formation and the results of spheroid-based assays using the liquid-overlay technique.
08:24
Extended Time-lapse Intravital Imaging of Real-time Multicellular Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment
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Cited by 25 •
2016
This protocol describes the use of multiphoton microscopy to perform extended time-lapse imaging of multicellular interactions in real time, in vivo at single cell resolution.
10:59
Recording Multicellular Behavior in Myxococcus xanthus Biofilms using Time-lapse Microcinematography
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Cited by 8 •
2010
To study Myxococcus xanthus swarm behavior, we have designed a time-lapse microcinematography protocol that can be modified for different assays. It employs standard growth conditions adapted for microscopy, and yields reproducible results by the use of inexpensive, reusable silicone gaskets. We have used this method to quantify multicellular chemotaxis.
FAQs
Cell adhesion and intercellular communication make cooperation physically and functionally possible. Adhesion keeps cells associated, while communication coordinates their activities across the organism. Together with division of labor and regulated differentiation, these mechanisms allow specialized cells to contribute to tissue function while supporting overall homeostasis rather than acting as isolated units.
Division of labor allows different cell populations to perform specialized functions, while regulated differentiation establishes and maintains those distinct cellular roles. This organization expands what the organism can accomplish compared with individual cells. Coordination remains essential because specialization must operate within tissues and support the stability of the whole organism.
Specialization creates benefits only when cells remain functionally integrated. Intercellular communication links their activities, adhesion helps preserve tissue organization, and homeostasis provides a stable overall condition. If these coordinating relationships fail, cells may no longer contribute effectively to shared tissue function, demonstrating why multicellularity requires cooperation as well as cellular specialization.
Multicellularity provides a framework for examining how genetically related cells become organized into tissues with coordinated functions. Its emphasis on adhesion, communication, differentiation, and division of labor connects cellular behavior with larger biological structures. Consequently, research in this area helps relate changes in individual cells to the formation and maintenance of tissues during development.
Studies of multicellular systems can investigate how cells interact with one another and with their environments while maintaining tissue-level organization. This research is relevant to regeneration, cancer, host-microbe interactions, and disease caused by disrupted cellular coordination. It therefore connects fundamental questions about complex life with biologically important changes in cellular cooperation.
Disease and regeneration can be examined through the coordination of cells within tissues. Research asks how organized cellular interactions support tissue maintenance or recovery, and how their disruption contributes to conditions such as cancer. This perspective links cell adhesion, communication, differentiation, and homeostasis to outcomes that extend beyond individual-cell behavior.