Pattern formation

Genetic regulation of development: This topic involves the study of how genes and their expression patterns determine the formation of different body structures during development.

Signaling pathways in development: This topic focuses on the complex signaling networks that coordinate various cellular processes during pattern formation.

Morphogen gradients in development: This topic involves the study of how gradients of signaling molecules (morphogens) contribute to the establishment of spatial patterns during development.

Cell differentiation and lineage specification: This topic deals with the mechanisms that regulate cell fate determination and place cells into specific developmental pathways.

Cell migration and rearrangement: This topic focuses on the movement of cells during development, which is crucial for pattern formation.

Epigenetic modifications in development: This topic involves the study of how chemical modifications of DNA and histones can affect gene expression and contribute to the establishment of specific developmental patterns.

Spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression: This topic focuses on how gene expression is regulated both in time and space during pattern formation.

Generation of symmetry and asymmetry: This topic deals with the establishment of symmetry and asymmetry during development, which is essential for proper patterning.

Organogenesis and morphogenesis: This topic involves the study of how organs and tissues are formed during development and how they acquire specific shapes.

Evolutionary aspects of developmental biology: This topic deals with the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the formation and diversity of developmental patterns across different species.

Segmental patterning: Involves the formation of repetitive segments in the early embryo, which gives rise to the body plan of the adult organism.

Morphogen gradients: Morphogens are signaling molecules that diffuse through tissues and form a concentration gradient, which determines cell fate and pattern formation.

Gap genes: A set of genes that are activated in response to maternal gradients and are responsible for creating large-scale segments in the embryo.

Pair-rule genes: The next set of genes involved in pattern formation, responsible for dividing the embryo into more precise segments.

Segment polarity genes: Finally, the segment polarity genes are responsible for fine-tuning the final segments, producing structures such as stripes or spots.

Spatial self-organization: A group of cells are able to self-organize to form complex spatial patterns, without the need for external signaling molecules.

Cell-cell signaling: Cells communicate with each other via various signaling pathways, ranging from direct cell-cell contact to diffusible molecules such as hormones or neurotransmitters.

Cellular movements: Cellular movements can also play a role in pattern formation, such as in the differentiation of the vertebrate neural crest.

Reaction-diffusion systems: In this mechanism, chemical substances react with each other and diffuse through tissues, creating spatial patterns.

Gene regulatory networks: Finally, gene regulatory networks are involved in multiple aspects of pattern formation, regulating the expression of key genes at the right time and in the right place in the developing embryo.