Tissue development within the self-assembling process can be described in four phases.

<p>In the first phase, a high density cell suspension is seeded in an agarose mold. In the second phase, chondrocytes begin to recognize each other and coalesce through a minimization of the free energy in the system, as described by the differential adhesion hypothesis. In the third phase, tissue constructs begin to form as the cells migrate apart and secrete predominately collagen type VI and CS-6 to compose its extracellular matrix. In the fourth phase, extracellular matrix separations become apparent, as indicated by a PCM surrounding individual chondrocytes. The initially abundant collagen type VI decreases in proportion to total collagen and localizes around individual cells, as the percentage of collagen type II to total collagen increases. The mature tissue matrix consists predominately of collagen type II and a slightly greater percentage of CS-6 than CS-4.