Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: A single cell transcriptomic atlas of the developing spinal cord during weeks 4 to 7 of human gestation. In this dimensionality reduction map (UMAP), individual dots correspond to single cells coloured according to the expression level of the neural progenitor gene Sox2: high expression, yellow (progenitors); low expression, cyan (neurons). Image credit: Christopher Barrington and Ana Rojo Burgos. See Research article by Rayon et al. (dev199711).
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
INTERVIEWS
PRIMER
Quantitative developmental biology in vitro using micropatterning
Summary: This Primer introduces micropatterning as a tool to study development and discusses what we have learnt so far with this technique.
REVIEW
Segmentation and patterning of the vertebrate hindbrain
Summary: This Review discusses how sharp patterns of segments and boundaries are formed during hindbrain development.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Single-cell transcriptome profiling of the human developing spinal cord reveals a conserved genetic programme with human-specific features
Summary: Single-cell transcriptome analysis of the neural tube of human embryos from gestational weeks 4-7 provides insight into the molecular complexity and cellular diversity of the developing human spinal cord.
H4K20me3 marks distal intergenic and repetitive regions in human mature spermatozoa
Summary: Analysis of the genome-wide distribution of H4K20me3 in human spermatozoa, including H4K20me3-free nucleosomes, demonstrates a potential dual purpose of paternally transmitted histones: regulation of heterochromatin and guidance towards euchromatin transcription.
STEM CELLS AND REGENERATION
B1 lymphocytes develop independently of Notch signaling during mouse embryonic development
Highlighted Article: During development, the first B lymphocytes are produced in the absence of Notch signaling and, thus, independently from HSCs.
The exocyst complex regulates C. elegans germline stem cell proliferation by controlling membrane Notch levels
Summary: The conserved exocyst complex controls Notch receptor levels on the niche-interacting membrane of Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cells to regulate their proliferation and maintain fertility.
RESEARCH REPORT
osr1 couples intermediate mesoderm cell fate with temporal dynamics of vessel progenitor cell differentiation
Summary: Analysis of the osr1 mutant phenotype reveals roles in determining the extent of intermediate mesoderm formation while inhibiting premature differentiation of neighboring vessel progenitors.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Control of dynamic cell behaviors during angiogenesis and anastomosis by Rasip1
Summary:In vivo analysis of rasip1 mutants reveals multiple roles for Rasip1 during angiogenic sprouting, anastomosis and lumen formation, including stabilization of tricellular junctions to permit coordinated cell rearrangements and multicellular tube formation.
Sequestration to lipid droplets promotes histone availability by preventing turnover of excess histones
Highlighted Article: During Drosophila oogenesis, lipid droplets promote the intercellular transport of the histone anchor Jabba to the oocyte, where it prevents histone degradation.
The atypical RNA-binding protein Taf15 regulates dorsoanterior neural development through diverse mechanisms in Xenopus tropicalis
Summary: Taf15 has an integral and pleiotropic role in the development of dorsoanterior neural tissues via gene regulation that is target and co-factor dependent, subject to the myriad factors present at different stages of development.
STAU2 binds a complex RNA cargo that changes temporally with production of diverse intermediate progenitor cells during mouse corticogenesis
Summary: The double-stranded RNA-binding protein STAU2 associates dynamically with RNA determinants that contribute to intermediate progenitor cell diversity and cortical lamination during mouse cerebral cortex development.
A polarized nucleus-cytoskeleton-ECM connection in migrating cardioblasts controls heart tube formation in Drosophila
Summary: CAP and MSP300 are involved in connecting the nucleus and extracellular matrix during heart formation, which leads to the maintenance of post-mitotic Tinman-positive cardioblasts.
Arc1 and the microbiota together modulate growth and metabolic traits in Drosophila
Highlighted Article:Drosophila Arc1 exhibits microbiota-dependent, tissue-specific differential expression and functionally interacts with a key Acetobacter sp. isolate to regulate developmental growth and metabolic traits.
The RNA helicase Ddx52 functions as a growth switch in juvenile zebrafish
Highlighted Article: A zebrafish forward genetic screen identifies a switch-like regulator of growth and regeneration, which suggests that direct suppression of rRNA transcription may constitute an evolutionarily conserved ‘pause button’ for organismic growth.
The pioneer transcription factors Foxa1 and Foxa2 regulate alternative RNA splicing during thymocyte positive selection
Highlighted Article: The pioneer transcription factors Foxa1 and Foxa2 are required for positive selection during T-cell development in the thymus for regulation of RNA splicing.
TECHNIQUES AND RESOURCES
Planarian Anatomy Ontology: a resource to connect data within and across experimental platforms
Summary: Description of the construction of an anatomy ontology tool for planaria with examples of its potential use to curate and mine data across multiple experimental platforms.
CORRECTION
Development presents…

Development is delighted to host a webinar series showcasing the latest developmental biology and stem cell research. The webinars are held each month with talks from postdocs applying for independent positions as part of our Pathway to Independence programme. Visit Development presents... on the Node to see which stimulating topics are coming up in the next few months.
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.
Browse by subject
![Development logo - Browse by subject: Explore Development's content, now easily accessible by subject area. The ad has a black background with three vibrant scientific images: a developing embryo on the left, a green plant-like structure in the center, and a gastruloid (a circular cell with a bright pink center and blue outer ring) on the right. [Blue button: browse content].](https://cob.silverchair-cdn.com/ImageLibrary/Development/Snippets/2025_05_Dev_Browse-by-subject_600x230_Snippet.png?versionId=8993)
From cardiovascular development and regeneration to tissue engineering and organoids, Development’s browse by subject archive allows you to access the latest papers (from late 2024 onwards) on a particular field of interest. In addition to our curated subject collections, these subject pages allow readers to browse a broader range of papers organised by topic.