Directed cell migration is a versatile mechanism for rapid developmental pattern formation

The evolution of multicellular organisms hinges on self-organization mechanisms that generate tissues with diverse functions. A central process is the breaking of symmetry to form spatial patterns from initially uniform conditions. Among the various mechanisms proposed, directed cell migration—driven by chemotaxis, durotaxis, differential adhesion or other processes—offers a compelling strategy to organize tissues rapidly and robustly. Here, we unify these concepts into a general mathematical framework and show that it can produce diverse spatial patterns across one-, two-, and three-dimensional domains. Using numerical simulations and stability theory, we characterize the emergence, geometry, and formation speed of these patterns. Our findings provide a mechanistic understanding of morphogenesis beyond the traditional chemical or mechanical patterning paradigms and offer a quantitative foundation to guide pattern formation in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.