headshot of Lance Davidson

Lance Davidson

Professor
William Kepler Whiteford Professor
Google Scholar Index Bioengineering Department

overview

Biomechanics of Morphogenesis: How the cytoskeleton, cell-adhesion, and extracellular matrix contribute to tissue mechanics and force generation during vertebrate morphogenesis. Microscopy and image analysis techniques including fluorescent RNA in situ, FRET, and high resolution time-lapse confocal imaging of live cells in tissues. Computer simulations of developing embryos.

about

(2013) Invited Panelist at the National Institutes of Health - 9th Structural Birth Defects Meeting.

(2013) University of Pittsburgh Provost's Innovation in Education Award.

(2012) Appointed Wellington C. Carl Faculty Fellow.

(2009) NSF Career Award.

(2008) American Heart Association Beginning Grant-in-Aid.

(1999) Best Poster, Workshop on Advances in Cellular Imaging, W.M. Keck Center for Cellular Imaging, University of Virgina.

(1999) American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship.

(1993) Fellowship to attend the Summer Course in Embryology at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, MA.

(1992) Fellowship to present a poster at the Gordon Conference on Theoretical Biology.

(1989 - 1992) Systems in Integrative Biology - NIH National Research Service Award. U.C. Berkeley.

Ph.D., Biophysics, University of California at Berkeley, 1995

M.Sc., Experimental Space Science, York University, 1986

B.S., Physics, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, 1984

Bardhan, A., Brown, W., Albright, S., Tsang, M., Davidson, L.A., & Deiters, A. (2024). Direct Activation of Nucleobases with Small Molecules for the Conditional Control of Antisense Function. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION, 63(17), e202318773.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/anie.202318773.

Brown, W., Davidson, L.A., & Deiters, A. (2024). Expanding the Genetic Code of Xenopus laevis Embryos. ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY, 19(2), 516-525.American Chemical Society (ACS). doi: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00686.

Cheng, Y.W., Anzell, A.R., Morosky, S.A., Schwartze, T.A., Hinck, C.S., Hinck, A.P., Roman, B.L., & Davidson, L.A. (2024). Shear Stress and Sub-Femtomolar Levels of Ligand Synergize to Activate ALK1 Signaling in Endothelial Cells. CELLS, 13(3), 285.MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/cells13030285.

Davidson, L.A. (2024). Gears of life: A primer on the simple machines that shape the embryo. Current topics in developmental biology, 160, 87-109.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.05.004.

Yang, J., Hearty, E., Wang, Y., Vijayraghavan, D.S., Walter, T., Anjum, S., Stuckenholz, C., Cheng, Y.W., Balasubramanian, S., Kwiatkowski, A.V., & Davidson, L.A. (2024). The TissueTractor, a device for applying large strains to tissues and cells for simultaneous high-resolution live cell microscopy. bioRxiv.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/2024.06.28.600827.

Anjum, S., Turner, L., Atieh, Y., Eisenhoffer, G.T., & Davidson, L. (2023). Assessing mechanical agency during apical apoptotic cell extrusion. bioRxiv.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/2023.10.26.564227.

Martinson, W.D., McLennan, R., Teddy, J.M., McKinney, M.C., Davidson, L.A., Baker, R.E., Byrne, H.M., Kulesa, P.M., & Maini, P.K. (2023). Dynamic fibronectin assembly and remodeling by leader neural crest cells prevents jamming in collective cell migration. ELIFE, 12, e83792.eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. doi: 10.7554/eLife.83792.

Masak, G., & Davidson, L.A. (2023). Constructing the pharyngula: Connecting the primary axial tissues of the head with the posterior axial tissues of the tail. CELLS & DEVELOPMENT, 176, 203866.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.cdev.2023.203866.

Chu, C.W., & Davidson, L.A. (2022). Chambers for Culturing and Immobilizing Xenopus Embryos and Organotypic Explants for Live Imaging. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2022(5), Pdb.prot107649.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot107649.

Davidson, L.A. (2022). Microsurgical Methods to Isolate and Culture the Early Gastrula Dorsal Marginal Zone. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2022(11), Pdb.prot097360. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot097360.

Davidson, L.A. (2022). Microsurgical Methods to Make the Keller Sandwich Explant and the Dorsal Isolate. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2022(11), Pdb.prot097386. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot097386.

Davidson, L.A. (2022). Microsurgical Manipulations to Isolate Collectively Migrating Mesendoderm. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2022(11), Pdb.prot097378. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot097378.

Davidson, L.A., & Lowery, L.A. (2022). Imaging Methods in Xenopus Cells, Embryos, and Tadpoles. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2022(5), Pdb.top105627.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/pdb.top105627.

Cervino, A.S., Moretti, B., Stuckenholz, C., Grecco, H.E., Davidson, L.A., & Cecilia Cirio, M. (2021). Furry is required for cell movements during gastrulation and functionally interacts with NDR1. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 11(1), 6607.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-86153-x.

Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2021). Xenopus Deep Cell Aggregates: A 3D Tissue Model for Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 2179, 275-287.Springer US. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0779-4_21.

Chu, C.W., Masak, G., Yang, J., & Davidson, L.A. (2020). From biomechanics to mechanobiology: Xenopus provides direct access to the physical principles that shape the embryo. CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT, 63, 71-77.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.05.011.

Ichikawa, T., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2020). Non-junctional role of Cadherin3 in cell migration and contact inhibition of locomotion via domain-dependent, opposing regulation of Rac1. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 10(1), 17326.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73862-y.

Kim, H.Y., Jackson, T.R., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2020). Tissue mechanics drives regeneration of a mucociliated epidermis on the surface of Xenopus embryonic aggregates. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 11(1), 665.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-14385-y.

Smith, S.J., Davidson, L.A., & Rebeiz, M. (2020). Evolutionary expansion of apical extracellular matrix is required for the elongation of cells in a novel structure. ELIFE, 9, e55965.eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. doi: 10.7554/eLife.55965.

Sonmez, U.M., Cheng, Y.W., Watkins, S.C., Roman, B.L., & Davidson, L.A. (2020). Endothelial cell polarization and orientation to flow in a novel microfluidic multimodal shear stress generator. LAB ON A CHIP, 20(23), 4373-4390.Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). doi: 10.1039/d0lc00738b.

Sonmez, U.M., Wood, A., Justus, K., Jiang, W., Syed-Picard, F., LeDuc, P.R., Kalinski, P., & Davidson, L.A. (2020). Chemotactic Responses of Jurkat Cells in Microfluidic Flow-Free Gradient Chambers. MICROMACHINES, 11(4), E384.MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/mi11040384.

Arnold, T.R., Shawky, J.H., Stephenson, R.E., Dinshaw, K.M., Higashi, T., Huq, F., Davidson, L.A., & Miller, A.L. (2019). Anillin regulates epithelial cell mechanics by structuring the medial-apical actomyosin network. ELIFE, 8, e39065.eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. doi: 10.7554/eLife.39065.

Stepien, T.L., Lynch, H.E., Yancey, S.X., Dempsey, L., & Davidson, L.A. (2019). Using a continuum model to decipher the mechanics of embryonic tissue spreading from time-lapse image sequences: An approximate Bayesian computation approach. PLOS ONE, 14(6), e0218021.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218021.

Wolff, H.B., Davidson, L.A., & Merks, R.M.H. (2019). Adapting a Plant Tissue Model to Animal Development: Introducing Cell Sliding into VirtualLeaf. BULLETIN OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY, 81(8), 3322-3341.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s11538-019-00599-9.

Ingram, G., & Davidson, L. (2018). Editorial: Developmental mechanisms, patterning and evolution (2018). Current opinion in genetics & development, 51, iii-v.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2018.11.001.

Lopez-Escobar, B., Manuel Caro-Vega, J., Vijayraghavan, D.S., Plageman, T.F., Sanchez-Alcazar, J.A., Carlos Moreno, R., Savery, D., Marquez-Rivas, J., Davidson, L.A., & Ybot-Gonzalez, P. (2018). The non-canonical Wnt-PCP pathway shapes the mouse caudal neural plate. DEVELOPMENT, 145(9), dev157487.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.157487.

Miller, C.J., Harris, D., Weaver, R., Ermentrout, G.B., & Davidson, L.A. (2018). Emergent mechanics of actomyosin drive punctuated contractions and shape network morphology in the cell cortex. PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY, 14(9), e1006344.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006344.

Shawky, J.H., Balakrishnan, U.L., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2018). Multiscale analysis of architecture, cell size and the cell cortex reveals cortical F-actin density and composition are major contributors to mechanical properties during convergent extension. DEVELOPMENT, 145(19), dev161281.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.161281.

Shook, D.R., Kasprowicz, E.M., Davidson, L.A., & Keller, R. (2018). Large, long range tensile forces drive convergence during Xenopus blastopore closure and body axis elongation. eLife, 7, e26944.eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. doi: 10.7554/elife.26944.

Shook, D.R., Kasprowicz, E.M., Davidson, L.A., & Keller, R. (2018). Large, long range tensile forces drive convergence during Xenopus blastopore closure and body axis elongation. ELIFE, 7.eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. doi: 10.7554/eLife.26944.001.

Smith, S.J., Rebeiz, M., & Davidson, L. (2018). From pattern to process: studies at the interface of gene regulatory networks, morphogenesis, and evolution. CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT, 51, 103-110.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2018.08.004.

Chanet, S., Miller, C.J., Vaishnav, E.D., Ermentrout, B., Davidson, L.A., & Martin, A.C. (2017). Actomyosin meshwork mechanosensing enables tissue shape to orient cell force. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 8(1), 15014.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15014.

Davidson, L.A. (2017). Mechanical design in embryos: mechanical signalling, robustness and developmental defects. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 372(1720), 20150516.The Royal Society. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0516.

Jackson, T.R., Kim, H.Y., Balakrishnan, U.L., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2017). Spatiotemporally Controlled Mechanical Cues Drive Progenitor Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition Enabling Proper Heart Formation and Function. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 27(9), 1326-1335.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.03.065.

Kim, H.Y., Jackson, T.R., & Davidson, L.A. (2017). On the role of mechanics in driving mesenchymal-to-epithelial transitions. SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, 67, 113-122.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.05.011.

Stooke-Vaughan, G.A., Davidson, L.A., & Woolner, S. (2017). Xenopus as a model for studies in mechanical stress and cell division. GENESIS, 55(1-2).Wiley. doi: 10.1002/dvg.23004.

Vijayraghavan, D.S., & Davidson, L.A. (2017). Mechanics of Neurulation: From Classical to Current Perspectives on the Physical Mechanics that Shape, Fold, and Form the Neural Tube. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, 109(2), 153-168.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/bdra.23557.

Adibi, J.J., Zhao, Y., Cartus, A.R., Gupta, P., & Davidson, L.A. (2016). Placental Mechanics in the Zika-Microcephaly Relationship. CELL HOST & MICROBE, 20(1), 9-11.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.06.013.

Holt, B.D., Shawky, J.H., Dahl, K.N., Davidson, L.A., & Islam, M.F. (2016). Distribution of single wall carbon nanotubes in the Xenopus laevis embryo after microinjection. JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, 36(4), 568-578.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jat.3255.

Holt, B.D., Shawky, J.H., Dahl, K.N., Davidson, L.A., & Islam, M.F. (2016). Developing Xenopus embryos recover by compacting and expelling single wall carbon nanotubes. JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, 36(4), 579-585.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jat.3203.

Feroze, R., Shawky, J.H., von Dassow, M., & Davidson, L.A. (2015). Mechanics of blastopore closure during amphibian gastrulation. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, 398(1), 57-67.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.11.011.

Hazar, M., Kim, Y.T., Song, J., LeDuc, P.R., Davidson, L.A., & Messner, W.C. (2015). 3D bio-etching of a complex composite-like embryonic tissue. LAB ON A CHIP, 15(16), 3293-3299.Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). doi: 10.1039/c5lc00530b.

McGreevy, E.M., Vijayraghavan, D., Davidson, L.A., & Hildebrand, J.D. (2015). Shroom3 functions downstream of planar cell polarity to regulate myosin II distribution and cellular organization during neural tube closure. BIOLOGY OPEN, 4(2), 186-196.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/bio.20149589.

Shawky, J.H., & Davidson, L.A. (2015). Tissue mechanics and adhesion during embryo development. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, 401(1), 152-164.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.12.005.

Song, J., Shawky, J.H., Kim, Y., Hazar, M., LeDuc, P.R., Sitti, M., & Davidson, L.A. (2015). Controlled surface topography regulates collective 3D migration by epithelial-mesenchymal composite embryonic tissues. BIOMATERIALS, 58, 1-9.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.04.021.

Zhou, J., Pal, S., Maiti, S., & Davidson, L.A. (2015). Force production and mechanical accommodation during convergent extension. DEVELOPMENT, 142(4), 692-701.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.116533.

Kim, Y., Hazar, M., Vijayraghavan, D.S., Song, J., Jackson, T.R., Joshi, S.D., Messner, W.C., Davidson, L.A., & LeDuc, P.R. (2014). Mechanochemical actuators of embryonic epithelial contractility. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 111(40), 14366-14371.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1405209111.

Kim, Y.T., Hazar, M., Vijayraghavan, D.S., Song, J., Jackson, T.R., Joshi, S.D., Messner, W.C., Davidson, L.A., & LeDuc, P.R. (2014). Mechanochemical actuators of embryonic epithelial contractility. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(40), 14366-14371. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1405209111.

von Dassow, M., Miller, C.J., & Davidson, L.A. (2014). Biomechanics and the Thermotolerance of Development. In Kreplak, L. (Ed.). PLOS ONE, 9(4), e95670.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095670.

Edlund, A.F., Davidson, L.A., & Keller, R.E. (2013). Cell Segregation, Mixing, and Tissue Pattern in the Spinal Cord of the Xenopus laevis Neurula. DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, 242(10), 1134-1146.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.24004.

Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2013). Assembly of chambers for stable long-term imaging of live Xenopus tissue. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2013(4), 366-369.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot073882.

Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2013). Investigating morphogenesis in Xenopus embryos: imaging strategies, processing, and analysis. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2013(4), 298-304.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/pdb.top073890.

Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2013). Microsurgical approaches to isolate tissues from Xenopus embryos for imaging morphogenesis. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2013(4), 362-365.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot073874.

Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2013). Preparation and use of reporter constructs for imaging morphogenesis in Xenopus embryos. Cold Spring Harbor protocols, 2013(4), 359-361.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot073866.

Miller, C.J., & Davidson, L.A. (2013). The interplay between cell signalling and mechanics in developmental processes. NATURE REVIEWS GENETICS, 14(10), 733-744.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/nrg3513.

Davidson, L.A. (2012). Epithelial machines that shape the embryo. TRENDS IN CELL BIOLOGY, 22(2), 82-87.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2011.10.005.

Davidson, L.A. (2012). No strings attached: new insights into epithelial morphogenesis. BMC BIOLOGY, 10(1), 105.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1186/1741-7007-10-105.

Davidson, L.A., & Baum, B. (2012). Making waves: the rise and fall and rise of quantitative developmental biology. DEVELOPMENT, 139(17), 3065-3069.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.080093.

Joshi, S.D., & Davidson, L.A. (2012). Epithelial machines of morphogenesis and their potential application in organ assembly and tissue engineering. BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY, 11(8), 1109-1121.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s10237-012-0423-6.

Joshi, S.D., Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2012). Microscopy tools for quantifying developmental dynamics in Xenopus embryos. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 917, 477-493.Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-992-1_27.

Miller, C.J., Ermentrout, G.B., & Davidson, L.A. (2012). Rotational model for actin filament alignment by myosin. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY, 300, 344-359.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2012.01.036.

Davidson, L.A. (2011). EMBRYO MECHANICS: BALANCING FORCE PRODUCTION WITH ELASTIC RESISTANCE DURING MORPHOGENESIS. FORCES AND TENSION IN DEVELOPMENT, 95(Dev. Biol.2712004), 215-241.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-385065-2.00007-4.

Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2011). Punctuated actin contractions during convergent extension and their permissive regulation by the non-canonical Wnt-signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, 124(4), 635-646.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/jcs.067579.

Kim, Y., Joshi, S.D., Davidson, L.A., Leduc, P.R., & Messner, W.C. (2011). Dynamic control of 3D chemical profiles with a single 2D microfluidic platform. LAB ON A CHIP, 11(13), 2182-2188.Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). doi: 10.1039/c1lc20077a.

Kim, Y., Joshi, S.D., Messner, W.C., LeDuc, P.R., & Davidson, L.A. (2011). Detection of Dynamic Spatiotemporal Response to Periodic Chemical Stimulation in a Xenopus Embryonic Tissue. PLOS ONE, 6(1), e14624.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014624.

Trier, S.M., & Davidson, L.A. (2011). Quantitative microscopy and imaging tools for the mechanical analysis of morphogenesis. CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT, 21(5), 664-670.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2011.08.005.

Upadhye, K.V., Candiello, J.E., Davidson, L.A., & Lin, H. (2011). Whole-Cell Electrical Activity Under Direct Mechanical Stimulus by AFM Cantilever Using Planar Patch Clamp Chip Approach. CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING, 4(2), 270-280.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s12195-011-0160-4.

von Dassow, M., & Davidson, L.A. (2011). Physics and the canalization of morphogenesis: a grand challenge in organismal biology. PHYSICAL BIOLOGY, 8(4), 045002.IOP Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1478-3975/8/4/045002.

Davidson, L.A. (2010). The Physical Mechanical Processes that Shape Tissues in the Early Embryo. In Studies in Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials. 4, (pp. 71-97).Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/8415_2010_29.

Davidson, L.A., Joshi, S.D., Kim, H.Y., von Dassow, M., Zhang, L., & Zhou, J. (2010). Emergent morphogenesis: Elastic mechanics of a self-deforming tissue. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 43(1), 63-70.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.09.010.

Joshi, S.D., & Davidson, L.A. (2010). Live-cell imaging and quantitative analysis of embryonic epithelial cells in Xenopus laevis. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, (39), 1949.MyJove Corporation. doi: 10.3791/1949.

Joshi, S.D., von Dassow, M., & Davidson, L.A. (2010). Experimental control of excitable embryonic tissues: three stimuli induce rapid epithelial contraction. EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH, 316(1), 103-114.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2009.08.005.

von Dassow, M., Strother, J.A., & Davidson, L.A. (2010). Surprisingly Simple Mechanical Behavior of a Complex Embryonic Tissue. In Kreplak, L. (Ed.). PLOS ONE, 5(12), e15359.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015359.

Zhou, J., Kim, H.Y., Wang, J.H.C., & Davidson, L.A. (2010). Macroscopic stiffening of embryonic tissues via microtubules, RhoGEF and the assembly of contractile bundles of actomyosin. DEVELOPMENT, 137(16), 2785-2794.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.045997.

Davidson, L., von Dassow, M., & Zhou, J. (2009). Multi-scale mechanics from molecules to morphogenesis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY, 41(11), 2147-2162.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2009.04.015.

Edeling, M.A., Sanker, S., Shima, T., Umasankar, P.K., Hoening, S., Kim, H.Y., Davidson, L.A., Watkins, S.C., Tsang, M., Owen, D.J., & Traub, L.M. (2009). Structural Requirements for PACSIN/Syndapin Operation during Zebrafish Embryonic Notochord Development. In Keen, J. (Ed.). PLOS ONE, 4(12), e8150.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008150.

Rozario, T., Dzamba, B., Weber, G.F., Davidson, L.A., & DeSimone, D.W. (2009). The physical state of fibronectin matrix differentially regulates morphogenetic movements in vivo. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, 327(2), 386-398.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.12.025.

von Dassow, M., & Davidson, L.A. (2009). Natural Variation in Embryo Mechanics: Gastrulation in Xenopus laevis Is Highly Robust to Variation in Tissue Stiffness. DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, 238(1), 2-18.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21809.

Yang, X., Zou, J., Hyde, D.R., Davidson, L.A., & Wei, X. (2009). Stepwise Maturation of Apicobasal Polarity of the Neuroepithelium Is Essential for Vertebrate Neurulation. JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 29(37), 11426-11440.Society for Neuroscience. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1880-09.2009.

Zhou, J., Kim, H.Y., & Davidson, L.A. (2009). Actomyosin stiffens the vertebrate embryo during crucial stages of elongation and neural tube closure. DEVELOPMENT, 136(4), 677-688.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.026211.

Davidson, L.A. (2008). Taming the tiger of tissue aggregation: how epithelia control structural assembly of underlying cells. Developmental cell, 14(2), 152-154.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2008.01.012.

Davidson, L.A. (2008). Developmental biology - Apoptosis turbocharges epithelial morphogenesis. SCIENCE, 321(5896), 1641-1642.American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). doi: 10.1126/science.1164583.

Davidson, L.A. (2008). Integrating morphogenesis with underlying mechanics and cell biology. MULTISCALE MODELING OF DEVELOPMENTAL SYSTEMS, 81, 113-133.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0070-2153(07)81003-9.

Davidson, L.A., Dzamba, B.D., Keller, R., & Desimone, D.W. (2008). Live Imaging of Cell Protrusive Activity, and Extracellular Matrix Assembly and Remodeling During Morphogenesis in the Frog, Xenopus laevis. DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, 237(10), 2684-2692.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21600.

Koide, K., Song, F., de Groh, E.D., Garner, A.L., Mitchell, V.D., Davidson, L.A., & Hukriede, N.A. (2008). Scalable and concise synthesis of dichlorofluorescein derivatives displaying tissue permeation in live zebrafish embryos. CHEMBIOCHEM, 9(2), 214-218.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/cbic.200700565.

Bensenor, L.B., Kan, H.M., Wang, N., Wallrabe, H., Davidson, L.A., Cai, Y., Schafer, D.A., & Bloom, G.S. (2007). IQGAP1 regulates cell motility by linking growth factor signaling to actin assembly. JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, 120(4), 658-669.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/jcs.03376.

Davidson, L., & Keller, R. (2007). Measuring mechanical properties of embryos and embryonic tissues. 83, 425-439.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0091-679x(07)83018-4.

DeSimone, D.W., Dzamba, B., & Davidson, L.A. (2007). Using xenopus embryos to investigate integrin function. 426, 403-414.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0076-6879(07)26017-3.

Green, J.B.A., & Davidson, L.A. (2007). Convergent extension and the hexahedral cell. NATURE CELL BIOLOGY, 9(9), 1010-1015.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1038/ncb438.

von Dassow, M., & Davidson, L.A. (2007). Variation and robustness of the mechanics of gastrulation: the role of tissue mechanical properties during morphogenesis. Birth defects research. Part C, Embryo today : reviews, 81(4), 253-269.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/bdrc.20108.

Davidson, L.A., Marsden, M., Keller, R., & DeSimone, D.W. (2006). Integrin α5β1 and fibronectin regulate polarized cell protrusions required for Xenopus convergence and extension. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 16(9), 833-844.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2006.03.038.

Stubbs, J.L., Davidson, L., Keller, R., & Kintner, C. (2006). Radial intercalation of ciliated cells during Xenopus skin development. Development (Cambridge, England), 133(13), 2507-2515.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.02417.

DeSimone, D.W., Davidson, L., Marsden, M., & Alfandari, D. (2005). The Xenopus embryo as a model system for studies of cell migration. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 294, 235-245.Humana Press. doi: 10.1385/1-59259-860-9:235.

Goto, T., Davidson, L., Asashima, M., & Keller, R. (2005). Planar cell polarity genes regulate polarized extracellular matrix deposition during frog gastrulation. Current biology : CB, 15(8), 787-793.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.03.040.

Constance Lane, M., Davidson, L., & Sheets, M.D. (2004). BMP antagonism by Spemann's organizer regulates rostral-caudal fate of mesoderm. Developmental biology, 275(2), 356-374.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2004.08.012.

Davidson, L.A., Keller, R., & DeSimone, D. (2004). Patterning and tissue movements in a novel explant preparation of the marginal zone of Xenopus laevis. Gene expression patterns : GEP, 4(4), 457-466.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.modgep.2004.01.001.

Davidson, L.A., Keller, R., & DeSimone, D.W. (2004). Assembly and remodeling of the fibrillar fibronectin extracellular matrix during gastrulation and neurulation in Xenopus laevis. Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists, 231(4), 888-895.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.20217.

Green, J.B.A., Dominguez, I., & Davidson, L.A. (2004). Self-organization of vertebrate mesoderm based on simple boundary conditions. Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists, 231(3), 576-581.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.20163.

Longo, D., Peirce, S.M., Skalak, T.C., Davidson, L., Marsden, M., Dzamba, B., & DeSimone, D.W. (2004). Multicellular computer simulation of morphogenesis: blastocoel roof thinning and matrix assembly in Xenopus laevis. Developmental biology, 271(1), 210-222.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2004.03.021.

Keller, R., Davidson, L.A., & Shook, D.R. (2003). How we are shaped: the biomechanics of gastrulation. Differentiation; research in biological diversity, 71(3), 171-205.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1046/j.1432-0436.2003.710301.x.

Davidson, L.A., Ezin, A.M., & Keller, R. (2002). Embryonic wound healing by apical contraction and ingression in Xenopus laevis. Cell motility and the cytoskeleton, 53(3), 163-176.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/cm.10070.

Davidson, L.A., Hoffstrom, B.G., Keller, R., & DeSimone, D.W. (2002). Mesendoderm extension and mantle closure in Xenopus laevis gastrulation: combined roles for integrin alpha(5)beta(1), fibronectin, and tissue geometry. Developmental biology, 242(2), 109-129.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1006/dbio.2002.0537.

Davidson, L.A., & Keller, R.E. (1999). Neural tube closure in Xenopus laevis involves medial migration, directed protrusive activity, cell intercalation and convergent extension. Development (Cambridge, England), 126(20), 4547-4556.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.126.20.4547.

Davidson, L.A., Oster, G.F., Keller, R.E., & Koehl, M.A. (1999). Measurements of mechanical properties of the blastula wall reveal which hypothesized mechanisms of primary invagination are physically plausible in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Developmental biology, 209(2), 221-238.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1006/dbio.1999.9249.

Davidson, L.A., Koehl, M.A., Keller, R., & Oster, G.F. (1995). How do sea urchins invaginate? Using biomechanics to distinguish between mechanisms of primary invagination. Development (Cambridge, England), 121(7), 2005-2018.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.121.7.2005.

Smith, S.J., Davidson, L.A., & Rebeiz, M. Expansion of apical extracellular matrix underlies the morphogenesis of a recently evolved structure. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/686089.

Kim, Y., Joshi, S.D., LeDuc, P.R., Davidson, L.A., & Messner, W.C. (2010). Probing Multicellular Dynamics in Xenopus Laevis Embryonic Development Using a Mechanical Engineering Based Microfluidic Feedback Approach. In ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B, (PARTS A AND B), (pp. 193-194).American Society of Mechanical Engineers. doi: 10.1115/sbc2010-19319.

Joshi, S.D., & Davidson, L.A. (2009). Remote Control of Apical Epithelial Sheet Contraction by Laser Ablation or Nano-Perfusion: Acute Stimulus Triggers Rapid Remodeling of F-Actin Network in Apical Cortex. In ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B, (PART B), (pp. 951-952).American Society of Mechanical Engineers. doi: 10.1115/sbc2009-204904.

Longo, D., Peirce, S., Skalak, T., Marsden, M., Davidson, L., Dzamba, B., & DeSimone, D. (2003). Computational automata simulation of blastocoel roof thinning in the Xenopu laevis embryo. In IEEE Systems and Information Engineering Design Symposium, 2003, 108, (pp. 127-131).IEEE. doi: 10.1109/sieds.2003.158015.

George, S., Evans, D., & Davidson, L. (2002). A biologically inspired programming model for self-healing systems. In Proceedings of the first workshop on Self-healing systems, 9, (pp. 102-104).ACM. doi: 10.1145/582128.582149.

Davidson, L. (2001). Biomechanics of morphogenesis: Epithelial bending during sea urchin gastrulation. In American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Bioengineering Division (Publication) BED, 50, (pp. 381-382).

Keller, R., Davidson, L., Edlund, A., Elul, T., Ezin, M., Shook, D., & Skoglund, P. (2000). Mechanisms of convergence and extension by cell intercalation. In Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 355(1399), (pp. 897-922).The Royal Society.England. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2000.0626.

Research interests

Reverse Engineering Morphogenesis -...