Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Artistic arrangement of Arabidopsis root tips. CLE26 gene expression in the phloem poles of root meristems is visualised using a fluorescent NLS-3xVENUS reporter gene (dark spots). Cell wall counterstaining with propidium iodide (lighter) outlines the root meristem structure. See Research article by Anne et al. (dev162354)
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
REVIEWS
Understanding axon guidance: are we nearly there yet?
Summary: This Review discusses how crosstalk between different families of axon guidance receptors and cues functions during axonal navigation, highlighting recent studies that question the textbook model of axon guidance.
The developmental origin of brain tumours: a cellular and molecular framework
Summary: Lineage-tracing work in glioma and medulloblastoma reveals similarities between neuronal development and brain tumours, identifying potential new therapeutic avenues that exploit vulnerabilities in tumour growth patterns.
STEM CELLS AND REGENERATION
Overlapping functions of Krüppel-like factor family members: targeting multiple transcription factors to maintain the naïve pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells
Highlighted Article: The Krüppel-like factors Klf2, Klf4 and Klf5 support self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells by activating Nanog, Tbx3 and Esrrb.
Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 regulate the transcriptional programs of nephron progenitors and renal vesicles
Summary: Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 perform redundant, sequential and essential roles in the balance of nephron progenitor cell self-renewal and differentiation, as well as in progression of nephrogenesis.
Neural stem cell quiescence and stemness are molecularly distinct outputs of the Notch3 signalling cascade in the vertebrate adult brain
Highlighted Article: Notch3 signalling selectively controls neural stem cell stemness through the activity of the Hey1 transcription factor, independently of its molecular regulation of neural stem cell quiescence.
GSK-3 promotes S-phase entry and progression in C. elegans germline stem cells to maintain tissue output
Summary: GSK-3 promotes CDK-2 transcription, which in turn maintains germline stem cell proliferation by establishing a short G1 phase and an efficient S phase, permitting the continuous proliferation of GSCs for gamete production.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Epidermal expression of a sterol biosynthesis gene regulates root growth by a non-cell-autonomous mechanism in Arabidopsis
Highlighted Article: Driving gene expression in different Arabidopsis root cell types demonstrates that the importance of the epidermis in regulating root growth is partly due to its role in auxin transport via sterol biosynthesis.
Four specific immunoglobulin domains in UNC-52/Perlecan function with NID-1/Nidogen during dendrite morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Summary: Specific immunoglobulin domain-containing isoforms of the basement membrane protein UNC-52/Perlecan act in concert with the basement membrane protein NID-1/Nidogen via UNC-6/Netrin signaling to promote secondary branching of PVD somatosensory dendrites.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Evidence for the temporal regulation of insect segmentation by a conserved sequence of transcription factors
Highlighted Article: Caudal, Dichaete and Odd-paired are likely to regulate pair-rule gene expression similarly in Drosophila and Tribolium, providing a simple mechanism for the evolutionary transition between short-germ and long-germ segmentation modes.
CLERK is a novel receptor kinase required for sensing of root-active CLE peptides in Arabidopsis
Highlighted Article: The intricate interplay between CLE-sensing pathways along the spatiotemporal gradient of protophloem formation involves the novel CLE-RESISTANT RECEPTOR KINASE gene.
A blood capillary plexus-derived population of progenitor cells contributes to genesis of the dermal lymphatic vasculature during embryonic development
Highlighted Article: Genetic lineage tracing and targeted gene disruption and gain of function identify a novel source of lymphatic endothelial progenitors that contribute to the formation of lymphatic vasculature in mouse skin.
The Hippo pathway effector Wwtr1 regulates cardiac wall maturation in zebrafish
Summary: Investigation of Wwtr1 in zebrafish heart development reveals its role in compact wall maturation and trabeculation, as well as in modulation of the cardiomyocyte actomyosin network and cell-cell junctions.
Modulation of F-actin dynamics by maternal Mid1ip1L controls germ plasm aggregation and furrow recruitment in the zebrafish embryo
Summary: The cytoskeletal regulator Mid1ip1L is required in the early zebrafish embryo for F-actin dynamics and cortical contractions that modulate and facilitate germ plasm ribonucleoparticle aggregation.
Slow calcium waves mediate furrow microtubule reorganization and germ plasm compaction in the early zebrafish embryo
Summary: During early cleavage stages, Nebel is required for calcium store enrichment at the furrow, with the reduced calcium release in nebel mutants disrupting the medial-to-distal enrichment of germ plasm RNPs and microtubule arrays.
TECHNIQUES AND RESOURCES
Transfection of Capsaspora owczarzaki, a close unicellular relative of animals
Summary: Development of genetic tools in a close unicellular relative of animals, the filasterean Capsaspora owczarzaki, will open new opportunities for functional studies to understand the transition to animal multicellularity.
NvERTx: a gene expression database to compare embryogenesis and regeneration in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis
Summary: NvERTx is an online database, comprising several transcriptomic datasets and an annotated transcriptome assembly, for comparing gene expression during embryogenesis and whole-body regeneration in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis.
CORRECTION
Biologists @ 100 - join us in Liverpool in March 2025
We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the Spring Meetings of the BSCB and the BSDB, the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and a DMM programme on antimicrobial resistance. Find out more and register your interest to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK.
Pathway to independence: perspectives on the future
In this Perspective, our second cohort of Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows showcase their research interests and thoughts on the future of the field of developmental biology. These talented postdocs cover topics as diverse as plant development, tissue engineering and adaptation to climate change. Look out for an announcement about the next call for applications later this year to become a Pathway to Independence fellow.
Development presents…
Development is excited to host a webinar series showcasing the latest developmental biology and stem cell research. The webinars are chaired each month by a different Development Editor, who invites talks from authors of exciting new papers and preprints. Visit Development presents... on the Node to see which topics are coming up and to catch up on recordings of past webinars.
The fascinating world of developmental biology
Development, British Society of Developmental Biology and Cambridge Filmworks teamed up to produce a documentary showcasing the wonder and the importance of the developmental biology field. We hope this video will help to promote our field and inspire the next generation of developmental biologists. We invite you to watch, enjoy and – most importantly - share this movie.
Modelling Plant Stem Cells: Evolution, Development and Regeneration
Early-career researchers can now apply for a funded place for the Modelling Plant Stem Cells: Evolution, Development and Regeneration Workshop happening on 18-21 May 2025. This is a great opportunity that could enhance your career in various ways. Application deadline: Friday 15 November 2024.