Genetic screens for recessive mutations continue to provide the basis for much of the modern work on Drosophila developmental genetics. However, many of the mutations isolated in these screens cause embryonic or early larval lethality. Studying the effects of such mutations on later developmental events is still possible, however, using genetic mosaic techniques, which limit losses or gains of genetic function to specific tissues and cells, and to selected stages of development. A variety of genetic mosaic techniques have been developed, and these have led to key insights into developmental processes in the fly. Variations on these techniques can also be used to screen for novel genes that are involved in non-embryonic patterning and growth.
History of our journals
As our publisher, The Company of Biologists, turns 100 years old, read about Development’s journey and highlights from some its first issues, and explore the history of each of our sister journals: Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology, Disease Models & Mechanisms and Biology Open.
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 15 May 2025.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology
In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
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