The sensory nervous system in the vertebrate head arises from two cell populations: the neural crest cells and the placodal cells. So how do multipotent head ectodermal cells decide between these fates? Litsiou et al. now report on p. 4051that WNT signalling is crucial in this process, as it promotes neural crest generation over sensory placode formation. From their studies in chick embryos, the authors provide important new insights into the complex process of placode formation and positioning, which, they suggest, is controlled by a balance of signals that emanate from surrounding tissues. For example, while neural-crest-promoting WNT and BMP signals are produced from the neural folds,counterbalancing BMP and WNT antagonists are secreted by the head mesoderm to protect placode precursors from the inhibitory effects of this signalling. FGF signalling also has crucial roles at early and late stages in this process.
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.
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.
the Node: Have your say
Our community site, the Node, is conducting a user survey about the content and the design of the site. Help us shape the Node's future and thank you for being a part of the Node over the last 15 years.
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