Mechanochemical Pattern Formation

Murray-Oster mechanochemical model: a morphogen u couples to tissue strain ε. Chemical signals drive cell contraction, which feeds back on morphogen diffusion. This PDE system produces patterns analogous to Turing — but through mechanical instability.

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Murray & Oster (1984): mechanochemical model for skin pattern formation. Key insight: mechanical feedback provides a second route to biological patterning independent of reaction-diffusion. Relevant to wound healing, fingerprint formation, and organogenesis.