A force balance can explain local and global cell movements during early zebrafish development.

Embryonic morphogenesis takes place via a series of dramatic collective cell movements. The mechanisms that coordinate these intricate structural transformations across an entire organism are not well understood. In this study, we used gentle mechanical deformation of developing zebrafish embryos to probe the role of physical forces in generating long-range intercellular coordination during epiboly, the process in which the blastoderm spreads over the yolk cell.

Immobilized boron-centered heteroscorpionates: heterocycle metathesis and coordination chemistry.

The preparation of a resin-supported boron-scorpionate ligand and its nickel(II) coordination complexes are reported. The supported ligand is prepared as its potassium salt, making it a general reagent suitable for chelation of any transition metal ion. Resin-immobilized benzotriazole (Bead-btz) reacted cleanly with KTp* (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) by heterocycle metathesis in warm dimethylformamide (DMF) to yield bead-Tp'K, {resin-btz(H)B(pz*)(2)}K.

Design, engineering and utility of biotic games.

Games are a significant and defining part of human culture, and their utility beyond pure entertainment has been demonstrated with so-called 'serious games'. Biotechnology--despite its recent advancements--has had no impact on gaming yet. Here we propose the concept of 'biotic games', i.