From morphogen to morphogenesis and back.

Nature

European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.

Published: January 2017

A long-term aim of the life sciences is to understand how organismal shape is encoded by the genome. An important challenge is to identify mechanistic links between the genes that control cell-fate decisions and the cellular machines that generate shape, therefore closing the gap between genotype and phenotype. The logic and mechanisms that integrate these different levels of shape control are beginning to be described, and recently discovered mechanisms of cross-talk and feedback are beginning to explain the remarkable robustness of organ assembly. The 'full-circle' understanding of morphogenesis that is emerging, besides solving a key puzzle in biology, provides a mechanistic framework for future approaches to tissue engineering.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature21348DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

morphogen morphogenesis
4
morphogenesis long-term
4
long-term aim
4
aim life
4
life sciences
4
sciences understand
4
understand organismal
4
organismal shape
4
shape encoded
4
encoded genome
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!