Quantitative analysis of cell motion during sorting in two-dimensional aggregates of dissociated hydra cells

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Abstract
We investigate cell motion during cell sorting in aggregates of dissociated hydra cells. Hydra viridissima combined with a two-dimensional experimental geometry allows us to track endodermal cells and to quantify cell and cluster motion statistically. Individual endodermal cells move randomly in the absence of bulk coherent motion. This random motion due to membrane fluctuations contributes to the formation of endodermal clusters. Cell sorting is accomplished by the contact between clusters due to their random deformation, and by the rounding of coalesced clusters. Coherent motion contributes to rounding both of the endodermal clusters and the aggregate.