Our tissues are complex and dynamic multicellular ecosystems. Studies of tissue physiology have helped establish their basic cellular components, and powerful profiling methods have refined lists of cell types/states and their attributes. Yet, fundamental questions remain as to what influences a cell’s specific role(s) within a tissue and how the collective activity of many cells drives emergent tissue-level functional and dysfunctional behaviors.
How are methodological developments enabling insights into cell behavior in cellular communities?