Any isolated fragment of a chick embryo, right up until the time of primitive streak formation, is spontaneously able to form a complete embryonic axis. Why then does only a single axis form in intact embryos? New results by Bertocchini et al. (p. 3381) reveal that the normal site of axis formation inhibits other regions from initiating this process. Vg1, synthesised in the posterior marginal zone, induces a fast-moving inhibitor that travels across the 3-mm embryo in under 6 hours, and which acts either in parallel with or upstream of Nodal and Chordin. This inhibitor is distinct from Cerberus, a Nodal antagonist produced by the extraembryonic hypoblast. Instead, the authors suggest that it belongs to the Lefty family of long-range Nodal antagonists. Bertocchini and colleagues also find a new role for FGFs in embryonic axis initiation, and suggest that FGF8 acts synergistically with Nodal to initiate primitive streak...
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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