Lance Davidson

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.

  • (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

  • Anjum, S., Vijayraghavan, D., Fernandez-Gonzalez, R., Sutherland, A., & Davidson, L. (2025). Inferring active and passive mechanical drivers of epithelial convergent extension. bioRxiv, 2025.01.28.635314.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/2025.01.28.635314.
  • Dong, Y., Maiti, S., & Davidson, L.A. (2025). Viscoelasticity during development: What is it? and why should you care?. Semin Cell Dev Biol, 175, 103655.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2025.103655.
  • Joshi, S.D., Jackson, T.R., Zhang, L., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2025). Supracellular contractility in Xenopus embryo epithelia regulated by extracellular ATP and the purinergic receptor P2Y2. J Cell Sci, 138(18).The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/jcs.263877.
  • Masak, G., & Davidson, L.A. (2025). Supracellular Mechanics and Counter-Rotational Bilateral Flows Orchestrate Posterior Morphogenesis. bioRxiv, 2025.11.18.689090.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/2025.11.18.689090.
  • Yang, J., Dong, Y., Jones, C.B., Wang, Y., Merino, C.V., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2025). Shape, Strain, and Stability: Epithelia Under High Strain. bioRxiv, 2025.11.12.687918.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/2025.11.12.687918.
  • Yang, J., Hearty, E., Wang, Y., Vijayraghavan, D.S., Walter, T., Anjum, S., Stuckenholz, C., Cheng, Y.W., Balasubramanian, S., Dong, Y., Kwiatkowski, A.V., & Davidson, L.A. (2025). The TissueTractor: A Device for Applying Large Strains to Tissues and Cells for Simultaneous High-Resolution Live Cell Microscopy. Small Methods, 9(8), e2500136.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/smtd.202500136.
  • Anjum, S., Turner, L., Atieh, Y., Eisenhoffer, G.T., & Davidson, L.A. (2024). Assessing mechanical agency during apical apoptotic cell extrusion. iScience, 27(11), 111017.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111017.
  • 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. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 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 Chem Biol, 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).MDPI. doi: 10.3390/cells13030285.
  • Davidson, L.A. (2024). Gears of life: A primer on the simple machines that shape the embryo. Curr Top Dev Biol, 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, 2024.06.28.600827.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, 2023.10.26.564227.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/2023.10.26.564227.
  • Cheng, Y.W., Anzell, A.R., Schwartze, T.A., Hinck, C.S., Hinck, A.P., Roman, B.L., & Davidson, L.A. (2023). Shear stress and very low levels of ligand synergize to activate ALK1 signaling in endothelial cells. In bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565194.
  • 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.eLife. 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 Dev, 176, 203866.Elsevier. 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 Harb Protoc, 2022(5), Pdb.prot107649.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot107649.
  • Chu, C.W., & Davidson, L.A. (2022). Myosin-dependent partitioning of junctional Prickle2 toward the anterior vertex during planar polarization of Xenopus neuroectoderm. In bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2022.08.26.505384.
  • Davidson, L.A. (2022). Microsurgical Methods to Isolate and Culture the Early Gastrula Dorsal Marginal Zone. Cold Spring Harb Protoc, 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 Harb Protoc, 2022(11), Pdb.prot097386. doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot097386.
  • Davidson, L.A. (2022). Microsurgical Manipulations to Isolate Collectively Migrating Mesendoderm. Cold Spring Harb Protoc, 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 Harb Protoc, 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., & Cirio, M.C. (2021). Furry is required for cell movements during gastrulation and functionally interacts with NDR1. Sci Rep, 11(1), 6607.Springer Nature. 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 Mol Biol, 2179, 275-287.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0779-4_21.
  • Cervino, A.S., Moretti, B., Stuckenholz, C., Grecco, H.E., Davidson, L.A., & Cirio, M.C. (2020). Furry is required for cell movements during gastrulation and functionally interacts with NDR1. In bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2020.05.08.083980.
  • 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. Curr Opin Genet Dev, 63, 71-77.Elsevier. 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. Sci Rep, 10(1), 17326.Springer Nature. 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. Nat Commun, 11(1), 665.Springer Nature. 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.eLife. 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 Chip, 20(23), 4373-4390.Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). doi: 10.1039/d0lc00738b.
  • 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. In bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2020.07.10.197244.
  • 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 (Basel), 11(4).MDPI. 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.eLife. doi: 10.7554/eLife.39065.
  • Ichikawa, T., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2019). Non-junctional Cadherin3 regulates cell migration and contact inhibition of locomotion via domain-dependent opposing regulations of Rac1. In bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/750752.
  • Kim, H.Y., Jackson, T.R., Stuckenholz, C., & Davidson, L.A. (2019). Tissue mechanics drives epithelialization, goblet cell regeneration, and restoration of a mucociliated epidermis on the surface of embryonic aggregates. In bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/696997.
  • Smith, S.J., Davidson, L.A., & Rebeiz, M. (2019). Expansion of apical extracellular matrix underlies the morphogenesis of a recently evolved structure. 686089.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. doi: 10.1101/686089.
  • 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. In Jiang, Y. (Ed.). 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. Bull Math Biol, 81(8), 3322-3341.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s11538-019-00599-9.
  • Ingram, G., & Davidson, L. (2018). Editorial: Developmental mechanisms, patterning and evolution (2018). Curr Opin Genet Dev, 51, iii-v.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2018.11.001.
  • López-Escobar, B., Caro-Vega, J.M., Vijayraghavan, D.S., Plageman, T.F., Sanchez-Alcazar, J.A., Moreno, R.C., Savery, D., Márquez-Rivas, J., Davidson, L.A., & Ybot-González, P. (2018). The non-canonical Wnt-PCP pathway shapes the mouse caudal neural plate. Development, 145(9).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. In Umulis, D. (Ed.). PLoS Comput Biol, 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).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. 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. Curr Opin Genet Dev, 51, 103-110.Elsevier. 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. Nat Commun, 8(1), 15014.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15014.
  • Davidson, L.A. (2017). Mechanical design in embryos: mechanical signalling, robustness and developmental defects. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 372(1720).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. Curr Biol, 27(9), 1326-1335.Elsevier. 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. Semin Cell Dev Biol, 67, 113-122.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.05.011.
  • Shook, D.R., Kasprowicz, E.M., Davidson, L.A., & Keller, R. (2017). Large, long range tensile forces drive convergence during Xenopus blastopore closure and body axis elongation. In bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/126201.
  • 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 Res, 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. 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. J Appl Toxicol, 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. J Appl Toxicol, 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. Dev Biol, 398(1), 57-67.Elsevier. 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 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. Biol 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. Dev Biol, 401(1), 152-164.Elsevier. 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. 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. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 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. Dev Dyn, 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 Harb Protoc, 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 Harb Protoc, 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 Harb Protoc, 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 Harb Protoc, 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. Nat Rev Genet, 14(10), 733-744.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1038/nrg3513.
  • Davidson, L.A. (2012). Epithelial machines that shape the embryo. Trends Cell Biol, 22(2), 82-87.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2011.10.005.
  • Davidson, L.A. (2012). No strings attached: new insights into epithelial morphogenesis. BMC Biol, 10(1), 105.Springer Nature. 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. Biomech Model Mechanobiol, 11(8), 1109-1121.Springer Nature. 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 Mol Biol, 917, 477-493.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-992-1_27.
  • Miller, C.J., Bard Ermentrout, G., & Davidson, L.A. (2012). Rotational model for actin filament alignment by myosin. J Theor Biol, 300, 344-359.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2012.01.036.
  • Davidson, L.A. (2011). Embryo mechanics: balancing force production with elastic resistance during morphogenesis. Curr Top Dev Biol, 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. J Cell Sci, 124(Pt 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 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. In Chin, W.C. (Ed.). 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. Curr Opin Genet Dev, 21(5), 664-670.Elsevier. 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. Cell Mol Bioeng, 4(2), 270-280.Springer Nature. 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. Phys Biol, 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 Cellular and Biomolecular Mechanics and Mechanobiology. 4, (pp. 71-97).Springer Nature. 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. J Biomech, 43(1), 63-70.Elsevier. 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. J Vis Exp, (39), 1949.MyJove. 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. Exp Cell Res, 316(1), 103-114.Elsevier. 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. Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 41(11), 2147-2162.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2009.04.015.
  • Edeling, M.A., Sanker, S., Shima, T., Umasankar, P.K., Höning, 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. Dev Biol, 327(2), 386-398.Elsevier. 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. Dev Dyn, 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. J Neurosci, 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. Dev Cell, 14(2), 152-154.Elsevier. 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. Curr Top Dev Biol, 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. Dev Dyn, 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.
  • Benseñor, 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. J Cell Sci, 120(Pt 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. Nat Cell Biol, 9(9), 1010-1015.Springer Nature. 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 Res C Embryo Today, 81(4), 253-269.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/bdrc.20108.
  • Davidson, L.A., Marsden, M., Keller, R., & Desimone, D.W. (2006). Integrin alpha5beta1 and fibronectin regulate polarized cell protrusions required for Xenopus convergence and extension. Curr Biol, 16(9), 833-844.Elsevier. 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, 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 Mol Biol, 294, 235-245.Springer Nature. 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. Curr Biol, 15(8), 787-793.Elsevier. 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. Dev Biol, 275(2), 356-374.Elsevier. 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 Expr Patterns, 4(4), 457-466.Elsevier. 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. Dev Dyn, 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. Dev Dyn, 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. Dev Biol, 271(1), 210-222.Elsevier. 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, 71(3), 171-205.Elsevier. 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 Motil 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. Dev Biol, 242(2), 109-129.Elsevier. 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, 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. Dev Biol, 209(2), 221-238.Elsevier. 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, 121(7), 2005-2018.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/dev.121.7.2005.

  • 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).ASME International. 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).ASME International. 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, (pp. 127-131).Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (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, (pp. 102-104).Association for Computing Machinery (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 Wolpert, L., & Smith, J.C. (Eds.). In Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 355(1399), (pp. 897-922).The Royal Society.England. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2000.0626.
Research Interests
Biochemistry and cell biology Biomedical engineering Bioinformatics and computational biology Genetics Evolutionary biology Medical biotechnology
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Contact Lance Davidson
Professor
William Kepler Whiteford Professor
lad43@pitt.edu
Work: 412-383-5820
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Bioengineering Department