Figure 1. Patterning by phase separation.

(a) Computer model of yellow and blue cells, each of which adheres strongly to cells of its own but not the other colour. The simulation begins with randomly placed cells, and allows cells to swap position, one at a time, if the swap reduces free energy of the system; the result generates a pattern of patches. (b,c) in vivo recreation of phase separation using Cdh1 and Cdh3 homophilic adhesion systems in Hek293 cells in (b) 2-dimensions and (c) 3-dimensions. These images come from image sets used in the writing of our experimental report on the study [18]; scale bar 200 µm.