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Determinism and variability of the morphogenesis pathways.

Oksana Butuzova1, Andrey Minarsky2, Nikolay Bessonov3

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Some organisms show variable developmental pathways despite strict embryogenesis. This study explores cell potency, signaling, and proposes a distinction between normal and fundamental variability in developmental biology.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • Early embryogenesis typically follows deterministic developmental pathways.
  • However, some organisms display variability in cell fates and developmental trajectories.
  • Understanding this variability is crucial for comprehending biological development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the phenomena of determinism and variability in developmental pathways.
  • To define the dependence of developmental variability on cell potency, external signal sensitivity, and cell signaling.
  • To propose conjectures differentiating normal (local) variability from fundamental variability in morphogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of early developmental stages in plant embryos with varying morphogenesis pathway variability.
  • Computational experiments utilizing Morphogenesis Software to model and test developmental pathways.
  • Defining key factors influencing developmental pathway variability: cell potency, signal sensitivity, and cell signaling.

Main Results:

  • Identified distinct types of variability: normal (local) variability leading to invariant structures and fundamental variability causing pathway switching.
  • Demonstrated the role of cell potency and signaling in modulating developmental pathway outcomes.
  • Illustrated conjectures through analysis of plant embryogenesis and computational simulations.

Conclusions:

  • Variability in developmental pathways is a significant biological phenomenon influenced by intrinsic cellular properties and external cues.
  • Distinguishing between local and fundamental variability provides a framework for understanding developmental plasticity.
  • Computational modeling offers a powerful tool for investigating complex developmental processes and generating testable hypotheses.