The isthmic organizer (IsO) is a signalling centre that lies between, and patterns, the mesencephalon (mes) and rostral metencephalon (met) regions of the neural tube, which give rise to the midbrain and cerebellum, respectively. FGF8 and WNT1 are key components of the signalling activity of this centre,although their exact functions here remains unclear. To further investigate the role of FGF8 in the IsO, Gail Martin and colleagues conditionally inactivated Fgf8 in the midbrain/hindbrain region of mice. The progressive loss of FGF8 here resulted in a dose-dependent loss of tissue; by E17.5, the entire midbrain, isthmus and cerebellum were absent in mutant embryos (see p. 2633), owing to ectopic cell death in the progenitors of these structures. FGF8 is also required to maintain gene expression in this region,including that of Wnt1 and Gbx2. These findings highlight an essential role for FGF8 in regulating gene expression and cell survival in...
The Company of Biologists Workshops
For the last 15 years, our publisher, The Company of Biologists, has provided an apt environment to inspire biology and support biologists through our Workshops series. Read about the evolution of the Workshop series and revisit JEB's experience with hosting the first Global South Workshop.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues
Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 30 May 2025.
Meet our 2025 Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows
We are delighted to announce our third cohort of PI fellows - researchers whom we will be supporting as they transition from postdoc to Principal Investigator. Read about the eight talented fellows chosen, whom we're excited to be working with as they navigate the job market.
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