Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Cell heterogeneity in human epicardium derived from human pluripotent stem cells is demonstrated by the heterogeneous expression of the transcription factor WT1 (magenta) under immunofluorescence imaging. The ZO-1 labelling (green) highlights the epithelial cobblestone structure that is characteristic of the epicardial tissue. Nuclei are labelled with DAPI (blue). See Research article by Gambardella et al. (dev174441)
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
INTERVIEW
SPOTLIGHT
Wolpert's French Flag: what's the problem?
Summary: This Spotlight discusses how and why Wolpert introduced the French Flag metaphor into developmental biology, but how his original idea was probably oversimplified by the community.
REVIEW
Positional information and tissue scaling during development and regeneration
Summary: Tissue proportions can adjust to altered cell numbers. This Review discusses scaling mechanisms from a molecular and mathematical perspective.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Naïve human pluripotent stem cells respond to Wnt, Nodal and LIF signalling to produce expandable naïve extra-embryonic endoderm
Highlighted Article: Exploiting naïve human embryonic stem cells, this study generates an in vitro model for primitive endoderm, its expansion, and demonstrates a conserved role for FGF/ERK signalling in its induction.
BNC1 regulates cell heterogeneity in human pluripotent stem cell-derived epicardium
Highlighted Article: Single cell analysis of human pluripotent stem cell-derived epicardium revealed that epicardial heterogeneity is regulated by the transcription factor BNC1 and separates the cells into two populations with different properties.
STEM CELLS AND REGENERATION
Lar maintains the homeostasis of the hematopoietic organ in Drosophila by regulating insulin signaling in the niche
Summary: Lar limits insulin signaling to regulate the size and activity of the larval hematopoietic niche in Drosophila.
The Paf1 complex and P-TEFb have reciprocal and antagonist roles in maintaining multipotent neural crest progenitors
Highlighted Article: Polymerase-associated factor 1 complex function is required to maintain the neural crest progenitor population in zebrafish.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
The histone demethylase KDM5 controls developmental timing in Drosophila by promoting prothoracic gland endocycles
Summary: Identification of KDM5 as a new transcriptional regulator of the MAPK signaling cascade provides insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the regulation of ecdysone production and developmental growth control.
PRDM1 controls the sequential activation of neural, neural crest and sensory progenitor determinants
Summary: PRDM1 mediates transcriptional activation of neural and sensory progenitor genes by recruiting histone demethylases such as Kdm4a to their promoters, but must then be repressed to maintain neural, neural crest and placode cell fates.
E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 acts through p53 to control respiratory progenitor cell number and lung size
Summary: The MDM2-p53 axis determines lung progenitor cell number and subsequent organ size, but not airway patterning and cell differentiation.
A biphasic role of non-canonical Wnt16 signaling during early anterior-posterior patterning and morphogenesis of the sea urchin embryo
Summary: Non-canonical Wnt16 signaling is essential for establishing the position of the early germ layer gene regulatory networks along the anterior-posterior axis, and activates molecular mechanisms necessary for gastrulation and mesenchyme morphogenesis.
The plakin domain of C. elegans VAB-10/plectin acts as a hub in a mechanotransduction pathway to promote morphogenesis
Summary: CRISPR-derived deletions reveal the roles of distinct domains from the hemidesmosome sprectraplakin VAB-10 in mechanotransduction during C. elegans morphogenesis.
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.