The 2017-2018 lecture, "Mechanics of morphogenesis: fundamental principles", initiates the theme of the molecular, cellular and biophysical bases of tissue forms in animals and plants, which will be continued next year. Taking a historical approach to key concepts, it will report on the decisive scientific advances that have made it possible to understand the apparent paradox of tissue structures (organs, embryos) that are robustly organized, yet incessantly remodeled.
Drawing on both ancient and very recent scientific literature, the lecture develops the foundations of tissue cohesion in animals, to be found in the quite remarkable properties of biological adhesion, and its plasticity, the mainspring of which is cell contractility.