The School is focused on the basic physical and biological principles of the development of multicellular organisms. The School aims at providing an integrated perspective of both experimental and theoretical approaches.

Multicellular organisms do not spring forth fully formed. Rather, they arise by a progressive change that leads from a single cell, the fertilized egg, to the formation of the adult body. Cell division and proliferation is highly orchestrated and responds both to internal programs and external cues, such as morphogens. During development, cells and tissues undergo changes in pattern and form in a highly dynamic fashion, using a wider range of physical processes than at any other time during the organism’s life cycle.

The purpose of this advanced School is to provide both an introduction to the basic physical and biological principles of development and an overview of recent breakthroughs and promising research directions in the field. The selected topics will include morphogen signaling, somatogenesis, control of growth and division, tissue mechanics and regeneration, both in model organisms (drosophila, zebrafish, mouse) and in humans.