Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:49
Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix
Published on: July 10, 2016
Renal branching morphogenesis: concepts, questions, and recent advances
1Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, 701 W. 168th St. New York, NY 10032, USA. fdc3@columbia.edu
Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|August 19, 2006
Summary
Kidney development involves ureteric bud branching morphogenesis, crucial for forming the urinary system. Recent advances illuminate cellular processes and growth factor regulation (GDNF, FGFs, TGF-β) in this complex developmental biology.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Renal Morphogenesis
- Urology
Background:
- The ureteric bud (UB) forms the kidney's collecting system through complex growth and branching.
- Understanding UB development is key for basic science and medical applications.
- Recent progress has been made in understanding renal branching morphogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in ureteric bud branching morphogenesis.
- To discuss methodologies for studying kidney development.
- To summarize the roles of key growth factors in UB development.
Main Methods:
- Review of established and novel experimental methodologies.
- Analysis of cellular processes and cell lineages in UB development.
- Focus on growth factor signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of normal UB branching morphogenesis.
- Insights into experimental systems for studying kidney development.
- Elucidation of cellular mechanisms underlying UB branching.
- Summary of growth factor roles: GDNF/FGFs stimulate, TGF-β family inhibits.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in understanding UB branching morphogenesis.
- Growth factors like GDNF, FGFs, and TGF-β family members play critical regulatory roles.
- Further research into these mechanisms holds medical significance for kidney development.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:10Mechanism of Angiogenesis
Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
02:19Morphogenesis
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
01:19Overview of Regeneration and Repair
Regeneration and repair processes are critical in healing damages caused by injury, disease, and aging. In regeneration, the damaged tissue is entirely replaced with new growth that restores the original architecture and function. In contrast, tissue repair usually results in a fixed tissue architecture involving scar formation. Scars generally do not reestablish tissue function and may also exhibit structural abnormalities at the injury site.
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...
01:33Whole Body Regeneration
Regeneration is the process of restoring injured or lost tissues, organs, or body parts. While simpler organisms generally show greater ability to regenerate their whole body, few complex animals show similarly exceptional regeneration. For example, planarian flatworms have a unique regenerative potential making them a popular study organism among biologists to understand the mechanisms of whole body regeneration. Other organisms, such as hydra, also show extreme regeneration potential; even...