Developmental Biology (DVB)

Section Information

Developmental Biology studies how organisms grow from a single cell into complex, functional bodies. It examines the molecular, cellular, and tissue-level processes that guide patterning, differentiation, morphogenesis, and growth throughout embryonic and post-embryonic stages.

Modern developmental biology integrates genetics, cell biology, imaging, biophysics, and computational tools to understand how signals shape tissues, how cells adopt specific fates, and how body plans evolve. Model organisms, high-resolution imaging, and single-cell analysis are central to revealing these mechanisms.

This section will publish research articles, short communications, and reviews on developmental mechanisms, gene regulation, morphogenesis, stem cells, regeneration, evo-devo, and disease-related developmental processes in plants, animals, and other organisms.

Scope

Early Embryonic Development
- Fertilization, cleavage, and gastrulation
- Axis formation and body plan establishment
- Cell lineage specification and early patterning
- Comparative embryology and conserved mechanisms
Gene Regulation and Signaling in Development
- Transcriptional control of developmental programs
- Signaling pathways guiding cell fate decisions
- Epigenetic regulation and chromatin dynamics
- Gene regulatory networks and developmental circuits
Cell Differentiation and Tissue Formation
- Mechanisms of lineage commitment and specification
- Formation of tissues, organs, and functional systems
- Stem cells, progenitors, and developmental transitions
- Tissue interactions and cross-talk during organogenesis
Morphogenesis and Biomechanics
- Cell movements, shape changes, and mechanical forces
- Tissue folding, elongation, and pattern formation
- Role of cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix in morphogenesis
- Biophysical and quantitative approaches to development
Post-embryonic Development and Growth
- Metamorphosis, juvenile growth, and maturation
- Organ remodeling and late developmental transitions
- Hormonal and environmental regulation of growth
- Developmental plasticity across life stages
Regeneration and Repair
- Cellular and molecular basis of regeneration
- Stem cell niches and activation during repair
- Comparative regeneration across species
- Regenerative models for medical applications
Evo-Devo and Comparative Development
- Evolution of developmental pathways and body plans
- Homology, divergence, and modularity in development
- Developmental constraints and evolutionary innovation
- Comparative studies across diverse taxa
Developmental Disorders and Disease
- Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental causes of defects
- Congenital anomalies and disrupted developmental pathways
- Model systems for human developmental diseases
- Mechanisms linking development to later-life disease
Tools, Imaging, and Quantitative Methods
- Live imaging, lineage tracing, and single-cell analysis
- Gene editing, transgenics, and reporter systems
- Mathematical modeling and computational approaches
- High-throughput and multi-omics tools in development