Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Scanning electron microscopy image revealing the complexity of the neuroepithelial surface, captured at the anterior neural folds of an E8.5 mouse embryo. Native differences in the composition of neuroepithelial stem cells can modulate signalling capacity and disease penetrance. See Research article by Mecklenburg et al. (dev199307).
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
HYPOTHESIS
Inheritance and flexibility of cell polarity: a clue for understanding human brain development and evolution
Summary: We suggest that the inheritance and flexibility of cell polarity are implicated in the evolutionary expansion of the developing neocortex by promoting the amplification of neural progenitors and tangential migration of neurons.
REVIEWS
Cyclical endometrial repair and regeneration
Summary: This Review summarizes current knowledge of endometrial repair and regeneration following menstruation and parturition, and highlights lessons that may be applied to scar-free tissue repair.
Signalling pathways and transcriptional regulators orchestrating liver development and cancer
Summary: This Review highlights signalling pathways and select transcription factors that direct liver development and contribute to liver cancer, and discusses applications of hepatic tissue engineering models for therapeutic discovery.
STEM CELLS AND REGENERATION
The combined action of Esrrb and Nr5a2 is essential for murine naïve pluripotency
Highlighted Article: Esrrb and Nr5a2, two orphan nuclear receptors, are identified as essential regulators of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells.
Y705 and S727 are required for the mitochondrial import and transcriptional activities of STAT3, and for regulation of stem cell proliferation
Highlighted Article: Mitochondrial import of STAT3 requires Y705 phosphorylation by Jak, whereas STAT3 mitochondrial transcriptional activity and its effect on proliferation depend on the MAPK target S727.
RESEARCH REPORT
Single-minded 2 is required for left-right asymmetric stomach morphogenesis
Summary:Single-minded 2, homolog of a gene required for gut looping in Drosophila, acts downstream of Pitx2 to regulate asymmetric stomach curvature in vertebrates.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
The 3′UTR of the Drosophila CPEB translation factor gene orb2 plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis
Summary:. Deletion of a large portion of the 3′UTR of orb2 impairs male fertility as a result of mislocalization of orb2 mRNA and Orb2 protein in the spermatids, confirming its importance for proper spermatogenesis.
GATA3 is essential for separating patterning domains during facial morphogenesis
Summary: Loss of Gata3 in mouse leads to BMP-mediated disruption of Fgf8 expression at the maxillomandibular junction during development, resulting in later fusion of the upper and lower jaws.
Reelin restricts dendritic growth of interneurons in the neocortex
Summary: Reelin acts as a ‘stop-growth-signal’ for postnatal interneuron maturation. Such signals might be required to transform dynamic immature dendrites into stable mature dendrites and to establish a balanced neuronal network connectivity.
Sobp modulates the transcriptional activation of Six1 target genes and is required during craniofacial development
Summary: Sobp interacts with Six1 in the cell nucleus and represses the transcriptional activation of Six1+Eya1 target genes. In Xenopus embryos, Sobp functions during early stages of inner ear development.
Genetic and epigenetic orchestration of Gfi1aa-Lsd1-cebpa in zebrafish neutrophil development
Summary: Gfi1aa, Lsd1 and cebpa form a regulatory network in zebrafish that controls neutrophil development and gfi1aa mutants exhibit hematological dysregulation similar to that observed in myelodysplasia syndrome.
Gene expression profiling of epidermal cell types in C. elegans using Targeted DamID
Summary: Targeted DamID is established in C. elegans for tissue-specific gene expression profiling without cell isolation and is used to identify genes playing a role in seam cell development.
Identification of disease-relevant modulators of the SHH pathway in the developing brain
Highlighted Article: Strain-specific differences in the early brain transcriptome profile strongly influence the penetrance of holoprosencephaly and heart defects caused by impaired SHH signaling.
TECHNIQUES AND RESOURCES
Krüppel-like factor gene function in the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi assessed by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing
Summary: Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and morpholino oligonucleotide knockdown, this study shows that tissues derived from the endoderm are dependent upon Klf5 ortholog expression for correct development and patterning in the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi.
CORRECTION
Save the date - Human Development: Stem Cells, Models, Embryos

We will be hosting a 2026 Human Development: Stem Cells, Models, Embryos meeting. We have teamed up with the Wellcome-funded consortium, the Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI) to co-organise this event, which will bring together researchers from around the world, united by an interest in understanding human developmental biology. Save the date for 7-9 September 2026 and register.
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.
From bench to business

In this Perspective, researchers who have transitioned from academia to industry tell us how they have navigated patents, intellectual property, investors and biotechnology start-ups to bring new biological advances from the bench and into the boardroom.
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=9135)
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.