Break to build: fracture as a unifying morphogenetic strategy (opens in new tab)

ABSTRACTFracture – the initiation and propagation of cracks – has long been associated with structural failure. However, active living tissues often harness fracture as a controlled morphogenetic tool due to their unique capacities to self-organise and self-repair. In this Review, we highlight how fractures are actively interpreted, integrated and functionalised within developmental programmes to sculpt tissues across scales and species. We connect core concepts from fracture mechanics, such ...