Periodicity in the embryo: emergence of order in space, diffusion of order in time

Abstract

Does embryonic development exhibit characteristic temporal features? This is quite apparent in evolution, where evolutionary change has been shown to occur in bursts of activity. Using two animal models (Nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans and Zebrafish, Danio rerio) and simulated data, we demonstrate that temporal heterogeneity exists in embryogenesis at the cellular level, and may have functional consequences. Cell proliferation and division from cell tracking data is subject to analysis to characterize specific features in each model species. Simulated data is then used to understand what role this variation might play in producing phenotypic variation in the adult phenotype. This goes beyond a molecular characterization of developmental regulation to provide a quantitative result at the phenotypic scale of complexity.

Cellular Reprogramming in Bursts and Phases

“…The study of bursts and phases can be applied to other biological processes, including cell division and differentiation in developmental systems such as Zebrafish and C. elegans (Alicea and Singh, 2021). In these systems, periodicity at multiple time scales have consequences on the spatial relationship between cells in a population.…”