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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
11:52
Temporal Ordering of Dynamic Expression Data from Detailed Spatial Expression Maps
Published on: February 9, 2017
Spatiotemporal pattern in somitogenesis: a non-Turing scenario with wave propagation
Hiroki Nagahara1, Yue Ma, Yoshiko Takenaka
1Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan. nagahara-hiroki@sc.mufg.jp
Summary
This study models mouse somitogenesis using a discrete reaction-diffusion system. The model explains how gene expression patterns form vertebral columns through spatial discreteness and activator interactions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Systems biology
- Mathematical modeling
Background:
- Living organisms self-organize complex spatiotemporal structures under non-equilibrium conditions.
- Morphogen dynamics in somitogenesis are crucial for forming periodic patterns, like vertebral columns.
- Gene expression propagation is key to pattern formation in biological development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simple discrete reaction-diffusion model for morphogen dynamics in mouse somitogenesis.
- To investigate the role of spatial discreteness and activator interactions in pattern formation.
- To elucidate underlying physical principles of pattern formation independent of specific biochemical reactions.
Main Methods:
- Developed a discrete reaction-diffusion model with activator-mediated neighboring interactions.
- Incorporated spatial discreteness to generate stationary periodic patterns.
- Analyzed the model's behavior in relation to cellular arrays and experimental observations.
Main Results:
- The discrete reaction-diffusion model successfully produced stationary periodic patterns.
- Spatial discreteness was shown to be essential for generating these patterns.
- The model provides a framework for understanding pattern formation based on physical principles.
Conclusions:
- A simple discrete reaction-diffusion model can explain the formation of periodic patterns in somitogenesis.
- Spatial discreteness is a fundamental factor in biological pattern formation.
- The model offers insights into the physical basis of developmental processes.
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