The International Journal Of Developmental Biology[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Establishing embryonic territories in the context of Wnt signaling.
Velloso I, Maia LA, Amado NG … +3 more , Reis AH, He X, Abreu JG
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930371 · Publisher ↗
This review highlights the work that my research group has been developing, together with international collaborators, during the last decade. Since we were able to establish the experimental model in Brazil, we have be...
This review highlights the work that my research group has been developing, together with international collaborators, during the last decade. Since we were able to establish the experimental model in Brazil, we have been focused on understanding early embryonic patterns regarding neural induction and axes establishment. In this context, the Wnt pathway appears as a major player and has been much explored by us and other research groups. Here, we chose to review three published works which we consider to be landmarks within the course of our research and also within the history of modern findings regarding neural induction and patterning. We intend to show how our series of discoveries, when painted together, tells a story that covers crucial developmental windows of early differentiation paths of anterior neural tissue: 1. establishing the head organizer in contrast to the trunk organizer in the early gastrula; 2. deciding between neural ectoderm and epidermis ectoderm at the blastula/gastrula stages, and 3. the gathering of prechordal unique properties in the late gastrula/early neurula.
Delineating the anuran axial skeleton.
Sánchez SS, Sánchez RS
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930370 · Publisher ↗
The axial skeleton of the has undergone an evolutionary reduction of its bone elements. This structural plan is strongly preserved throughout the order and would have emerged as a highly specialized anatomical adaptatio...
The axial skeleton of the has undergone an evolutionary reduction of its bone elements. This structural plan is strongly preserved throughout the order and would have emerged as a highly specialized anatomical adaptation to its locomotor jumping pattern. The development programs that direct the vertebral morphogenesis of the anurans are poorly described and the molecular bases that have caused their pattern to differ from other tetrapods are completely unknown. In this work, we review the ontogeny of the spinal column of the anurans and explore the genetic mechanisms that could explain the morphological difference and the maintenance of the body plan during evolution. Here, we propose that the absence of caudal osseous elements, as a consequence of the inability of sclerotomes to form cartilaginous condensations in frogs, could be due to changes in both pattern and expression levels of , , and genes along the anteroposterior axis. The anteriorised expression of the genes together with the reduction in the expression levels of , and in the posterior somites could explain, at least partly, the loss of caudal vertebrae in the anurans during evolution.
Insights into vertebrate head development: from cranial neural crest to the modelling of neurocristopathies.
Weiner AMJ, Coux G, Armas P … +1 more , Calcaterra N
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930369 · Publisher ↗
Although the vertebrate head has evolved to a wide collection of adaptive shapes, the fundamental signalling pathways and cellular events that outline the head skeleton have proven to be highly conserved. This conservati...
Although the vertebrate head has evolved to a wide collection of adaptive shapes, the fundamental signalling pathways and cellular events that outline the head skeleton have proven to be highly conserved. This conservation suggests that major morphological differences are due to changes in differentiation and morphogenetic programs downstream of a well-maintained developmental prepattern. Here we provide a brief examination of the mechanisms and pathways responsible for vertebrate head development, as well as an overview of the animal models suitable for studying face development. In addition, we describe the criteria for neurocristopathy classification, highlighting the contribution of zebrafish to the modelling of Treacher Collins/Franceschetti Syndrome, an emblematic neurocristopathy. The contributions from our laboratory reveal that proper zebrafish head development depends on the fine-tuning of developmental-gene expression mediated by nucleic acid binding proteins able to regulate DNA conformation and / or the neuroepithelium redox state.
Limb regeneration in salamanders: the plethodontid tale.
Arenas-Gómez CM, Delgado JP
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930368 · Publisher ↗
Salamanders are the only vertebrates that can regenerate limbs as adults. This makes them ideal models to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration. and have long served as primary salama...
Salamanders are the only vertebrates that can regenerate limbs as adults. This makes them ideal models to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration. and have long served as primary salamander models of limb regeneration, and the recent sequencing of the axolotl genome now provides a blueprint to mine regeneration insights from other salamander species. In particular, there is a need to study South American plethodontid salamanders that present different patterns of limb development and regeneration. A broader sampling of species using next-generation sequencing approaches is needed to reveal shared and unique mechanisms of regeneration, and more generally, the evolutionary history of salamander limb regeneration.
A roadmap for intestinal regeneration.
Quispe-Parra D, Valentín G, García-Arrarás JE
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930367 · Full text
Regeneration of lost or injured organs is an intriguing process in which numerous cellular events take place to form the new structure. Studies of this process during reconstitution of the intestine have been performed i...
Regeneration of lost or injured organs is an intriguing process in which numerous cellular events take place to form the new structure. Studies of this process during reconstitution of the intestine have been performed in echinoderms, particularly in holothurians. Many cellular events triggered during regeneration have been described using the sea cucumber as a research model. More recent experiments have targeted the molecular mechanisms behind the process, a task that has been facilitated by the new sequencing technologies now available. In this review, we present studies involving cellular processes and the genes that have been identified to be associated with the early events of gut regeneration. We also present ongoing efforts to perform functional studies necessary to establish the role(s) of the identified genes. A synopsis of the studies is given with the course of the regenerative process established so far.
Cell fusion and fusogens - an interview with Benjamin Podbilewicz.
Chimal-Monroy J, Escalante-Alcalde D
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930366 · Publisher ↗
Cell fusion is a process in which cells unite their membranes and cytoplasm. It is fundamental for sexual reproduction and embryonic development. Among the best-known cell fusion processes during animal development are f...
Cell fusion is a process in which cells unite their membranes and cytoplasm. It is fundamental for sexual reproduction and embryonic development. Among the best-known cell fusion processes during animal development are fertilization, myoblast fusion, osteoclast generation, and vulva formation in . Although it is involved in many other functions in unicellular and multicellular organisms, little is known about the mechanisms of cell fusion and the genes that code for the proteins participating in this process. Benjamin Podbilewicz has dedicated many years to understanding the processes and mechanisms of cell fusion. In this interview, he spoke to us about how he began his studies of this process, his contributions to this exciting field, his scientific ties with Ibero-America and his strategies for a well-balanced scientific/personal life.
LIN-35 beyond its classical roles: its function in the stress response.
González-Rangel AA, Navarro RE
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930365 · Publisher ↗
The pocket protein family controls several cellular functions such as cell cycle, differentiation, and apoptosis, among others. However, its role in stress has been poorly explored. The roundworm is a simple model organ...
The pocket protein family controls several cellular functions such as cell cycle, differentiation, and apoptosis, among others. However, its role in stress has been poorly explored. The roundworm is a simple model organism whose genes are highly conserved during evolution. has only one pocket protein, LIN-35; a retinoblastoma protein (pRB)-related protein similar to p130. To control the expression of some of its targets, LIN-35 interacts with E2F-DP (E2 transcription factor/dimerization partner complex) transcription factors and LIN-52, a member of SynMUV (Synthetic Muv) complex. Together, these proteins form the DRM complex, which is also known as the DREAM complex in mammals. In this review, we will focus on the role of LIN-35 and its partners in the stress response. It has been shown that LIN-35 is required to control starvation in L1 and L4 larval stages, and to induce starvation-induced germ apoptosis. Remarkably, during L1 starvation, insulin/IGF-1 receptor signaling (IIS), as well as the pathogenic, toxin, and oxidative stress-responsive genes, are repressed by LIN-35. The lack of also triggers a downregulation of oxidative stress genes. Recent works showed that and mutant animals showed enhanced resistance to UPR. Additionally, mutant animals also exhibited upregulation of autophagic genes, suggesting that SynMuv/DRM proteins participate in this process. Finally, mutant animals overexpressed , a chaperone that participated in the UPR. All of these data demonstrate that LIN-35 and its partners play an important role during the stress response.
Bisphenol A alters differentiation of Leydig cells in the rabbit fetal testis.
Ortega-García AP, Díaz-Hernández V, Collazo-Saldaña P … +1 more , Merchant-Larios H
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930364 · Publisher ↗
The endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) crosses the placental barrier and reaches the fetal organs, including the gonads. In the testis, fetal Leydig cells (FLC) produce testosterone required for the male phenotype and...
The endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) crosses the placental barrier and reaches the fetal organs, including the gonads. In the testis, fetal Leydig cells (FLC) produce testosterone required for the male phenotype and homeostatic cell-cell signaling in the developing testis. Although it is known that BPA affects cell proliferation and differentiation in FLC, results concerning the mechanism involved are contradictory, mainly due to differences among species. Fast developing fetal gonads of rodents lack cortex and medulla, whereas species with more extended gestation periods form these two tissue compartments. The rabbit provides a good subject for studying the disruptive effect of BPA in fetal Leydig and possible postnatal endocrine consequences in adult Leydig cells. Here, we investigated the impact of BPA administered to pregnant rabbits on the FLC population of the developing testes. Using qRT-PCR, we assessed the levels of S, , and androgen receptor genes, and levels of fetal serum testosterone were measured by ELISA. These levels correlated with both the mitotic activity and the ultrastructural differentiation of the FLC by confocal and electron microscopy, respectively. Results indicate that BPA alters the expression levels of essential genes involved in androgen paracrine signaling, modifies the proliferation and differentiation of the FLCs, and alters the levels of serum testosterone after birth. Thus, BPA may change the postnatal levels of serum testosterone due to the impaired FLC population formed by the proliferating stem and non-proliferating cytodifferentiated FLC.
Developmental Biology in Chile: historical perspectives and future challenges.
Concha ML, Signore IA
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930363 · Publisher ↗
Developmental Biology is a growing discipline in Chile. It started in the 1950s when Luis Izquierdo challenged the traditional descriptive perspective of embryology and comparative anatomy to explore the mechanisms under...
Developmental Biology is a growing discipline in Chile. It started in the 1950s when Luis Izquierdo challenged the traditional descriptive perspective of embryology and comparative anatomy to explore the mechanisms underlying the origin of form. After this initial drive, Claudio Barros, beginning in the late 1960s and Juan Fernández, in the late 1970s, contributed with unique and complementary facets to the early growth of the discipline. In the 1980s, the community of developmental biologists created its first forms of association together with the reproduction biology community, and in 1993 the first international course of developmental biology was organised. During the 1990s and 2000s, a group of young investigators arrived in Chile after postdocs in Europe and the US to build the first research centres of developmental biology, fostering the discipline to an unprecedented level. In the 2010s, as these centres consolidated, a stream of young developmental biologists established new labs at several institutions, expanding the community size and broadening its scope. The recent organisation of developmental biology meetings fostered the sense of community and nurtured the need of formal organisation, setting the bases for the foundation of the Chilean Society for Developmental Biology. Today, the community of developmental biologists is a mix of young and experienced investigators working in a variety of geographical locations, institutions, topics and model organisms. These characteristics are a strength of an active community that is pushing the discipline to the next level, aiming to make it a relevant actor in national and international settings.
Epigenetic control of cell fate - an interview with Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla.
Chimal-Monroy J, Escalante-Alcalde D
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930362 · Publisher ↗
Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla's research is focused on how cell fate arises from a single-cell embryo, the fertilized egg or zygote. After the initial divisions, cell potency becomes restricted, originating the first cell l...
Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla's research is focused on how cell fate arises from a single-cell embryo, the fertilized egg or zygote. After the initial divisions, cell potency becomes restricted, originating the first cell lineage fates. She studies how epigenetic information controls transitions in cell identity and cellular reprogramming during embryonic development. Currently, she is the founding Director of the Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Centre, and Professor of Stem Cell Biology at the Ludwigs Maximilians University in Munich. In this interview, Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla talks to us about her beginnings in the biology field in Mexico. She also tells us about how she became interested in the control of genome regulation within the nucleus during the transition from totipotency to pluripotency and how the control of gene regulation and chromatin organization during the early stages of cell fate decision in the one-cell embryo occurs. She considers that science has no borders; visiting Mexico gives her the possibility to discuss her work with colleagues and the new generation of students trained in Mexico.
Developmental delay during eye morphogenesis underlies optic cup and neurogenesis defects in zebrafish mutants.
Wycliffe R, Plaisancie J, Leaman S … +8 more , Santis O, Tucker L, Cavieres D, Fernandez M, Weiss-Garrido C, Sobarzo C, Gestri G, Valdivia LE
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930361 · Publisher ↗
Shaping the vertebrate eye requires evagination of the optic vesicles. These vesicles subsequently fold into optic cups prior to undergoing neurogenesis and allocating a population of late progenitors at the margin of th...
Shaping the vertebrate eye requires evagination of the optic vesicles. These vesicles subsequently fold into optic cups prior to undergoing neurogenesis and allocating a population of late progenitors at the margin of the eye. encodes a protein of unknown biological function expressed in the developing optic vesicles, and loss of function results in malformed eyes. The bases of these defects are, however, poorly understood. To further study we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate a new zebrafish mutant allele (). We characterized eye morphogenesis and neurogenesis upon loss of function using tissue/cell-type-specific transgenes and immunostaining, hybridization and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. eyes fail to grow properly and display an excess of progenitors in the ciliary marginal zone. The expression of a transgene reporter for the gene -a conserved marker for retinal progenitors- was delayed in mutant eyes and accompanied by disruptions in the epithelial folding that fuels optic cup morphogenesis. Mutants also displayed nasal-temporal malformations suggesting asynchronous development along that axis. Consistently, nasal retinal neurogenesis initiated but did not propagate in a timely fashion to the temporal retina. Later in development, mutant retinas did laminate and differentiate. Thus, mutants present a complex eye morphogenesis phenotype characterized by an organ-specific developmental delay. We propose that facilitates optic cup development with consequences both for timely neurogenesis and allocation of progenitors to the zebrafish ciliary marginal zone. These results confirm and extend previous analyses supporting the role of in coordinating morphogenesis and differentiation in developing eyes.
Oxygen, reactive oxygen species and developmental redox networks: Evo-Devo Evil-Devils?
Salas-Vidal E, Méndez-Cruz FJ, Ramírez-Corona A … +1 more , Reza-Medina B
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930360 · Publisher ↗
Molecular oxygen (O), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and associated redox networks are cornerstones of aerobic life. These molecules and networks have gained recognition as fundamental players in mechanisms that regulate...
Molecular oxygen (O), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and associated redox networks are cornerstones of aerobic life. These molecules and networks have gained recognition as fundamental players in mechanisms that regulate the development of multicellular organisms. First, we present a brief review in which we provide a historical description of some relevant discoveries that led to this recognition. We also discuss the fact that, despite its abundance in nature, oxygen is a limiting factor, and its high availability variation impacted the evolution of adaptive mechanisms to guarantee the proper development of diverse species under such extreme environments. Finally, some examples of when oxygen and ROS were identified as relevant for the control of developmental processes are discussed. We take into account not only the current knowledge on animal redox developmental biology, but also briefly discuss potential scenarios on the origin and evolution of redox developmental mechanisms and the importance of the ever-changing environment.
Inhibition of WNT/β-catenin is necessary and sufficient to induce expression in developing tendons of chicken limb.
Garcia-Lee V, Díaz-Hernandez ME, Chimal-Monroy J
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930359 · Publisher ↗
The cell differentiation of the musculoskeletal system is highly coordinated during limb development. In the distal-most region of the limb, WNT and FGF released from the apical ectodermal ridge maintain mesenchymal cell...
The cell differentiation of the musculoskeletal system is highly coordinated during limb development. In the distal-most region of the limb, WNT and FGF released from the apical ectodermal ridge maintain mesenchymal cells in the undifferentiated stage. Once the cells stop receiving WNT and FGF, they respond to differentiation signals. Particularly during tendon development, mesenchymal cells enter the cell differentiation program once () gene expression occurs. Among the signals that trigger the cell differentiation programs, TGFβ signaling has been found to be closely involved in tendon differentiation. However, whether gene expression depends merely on TGFβ signaling or other signals is still not fully understood. In the present study, considering that WNT/β-catenin is an inhibitory signal of cell differentiation, we speculated possible antagonistic or additive effects between canonical Wnt/β-catenin and TGFβ/SMAD signaling pathways to control gene expression. We found that the blockade of WNT/β-catenin promoted gene expression. In contrast, the inhibition of TGFβ/SMAD signaling did not maintain gene expression. Interestingly, the blockade of both WNT/β-catenin and TGFβ/SMAD signaling at the same time promoted gene expression. Thus the inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling appears to be necessary and sufficient to induce gene expression.
Morphogenesis of the lens placode.
Magalhães CG, De Oliveira-Melo M, Yan CYI
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930358 · Publisher ↗
For over 100 years, the vertebrate eye has been an important model system to understand cell induction, cell shape change, and morphogenesis during development. In the past, most of the studies examined histological chan...
For over 100 years, the vertebrate eye has been an important model system to understand cell induction, cell shape change, and morphogenesis during development. In the past, most of the studies examined histological changes to detect the presence of induction mechanisms, but the advancement of molecular biology techniques has made exploring the genetic mechanisms behind lens development possible. Despite the particular emphasis given to the induction of the lens placode, there are still many aspects of the cell biology of lens morphogenesis to be explored. Here, we will revisit the classical detailed description of early lens morphological changes, correlating it with the cell biology mechanisms and with the molecules and signaling pathways identified up to now in chick and mouse embryos. A detailed description of lens development stages helps better understand the timeline of the events involved in early lens morphogenesis. We then point to some key questions that are still open.
The "Mexican dancer" in Ecuador: molecular confirmation, embryology and planktotrophy in the sea slug .
Moreano-Arrobo L, Pérez OD, Brown FD … +2 more , Oyarzún FX, Canales-Aguirre CB
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930357 · Publisher ↗
, otherwise known as the "Mexican dancer", aries in adult size and color across its geographical distribution in Ecuador. Because of morphological variation and the absence of genetic information for this species in Ecua...
, otherwise known as the "Mexican dancer", aries in adult size and color across its geographical distribution in Ecuador. Because of morphological variation and the absence of genetic information for this species in Ecuador, we analyzed mtDNA sequences in three populations (Ballenita, La Cabuya, and Mompiche) and confirmed that individuals from the three locations belonged to and that there was no population structure that could explain their morphological differences. Next, we analyzed general aspects about the reproductive biology and embryology of this species. Live slugs from the Ballenita population were maintained and reproduced . Egg ribbons and embryos were fixed and observed by brightfield and confocal microscopy. We observed a single embryo per capsule, 98 embryos per mm of egg ribbon, and compared the cleavage pattern of this species to that of other heterobranchs and spiralians. early development was characterized by a slight unequal first cleavage, occurrence of a 3-cell stage in the second cleavage, and the formation of an enlarged second quartet of micromeres. We observed clear yolk bodies in the egg capsules of some eggs ribbons at early stages of development. Both reproductive and embryological characteristics, such as presence of stomodeum in the larva, and ingestion of particles after hatching confirmed the planktotrophic veliger larvae of this species, consistent with the majority of sacoglossans from the Eastern and Northeast Pacific Oceans.
Ancestral form and function of larval feeding structures are retained during the development of non-planktotrophic gastropods.
Collin R, Shishido CM, Cornejo AJ … +1 more , Lesoway MP
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930356 · Publisher ↗
Mode of development (MOD) is a key feature that influences the rate and direction of evolution of marine invertebrates. Although many groups include species with different MODs, the evolutionary loss of feeding larvae is...
Mode of development (MOD) is a key feature that influences the rate and direction of evolution of marine invertebrates. Although many groups include species with different MODs, the evolutionary loss of feeding larvae is thought to be irreversible, as the complex structures used for larval feeding and swimming are lost, reduced, or modified in many species lacking feeding larvae. This view is largely based on observations of echinoderms. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that feeding larvae have been re-gained in at least one species of calyptraeid gastropod. Further, its sister species has retained the velum, the structure used for larval feeding and swimming. Here, we document velar morphology and function in calyptraeids with 4 different MODs. Embryos of , , , , , , , and all hatch as crawling juveniles, yet only does not make a well-formed velum during intracapsular development. The velar dimensions of 6 species with non-planktotrophic development were similar to those of planktotrophic species, while the body sizes were significantly larger. All of the species studied were able to capture and ingest particles from suspension, but several non-planktotrophic species may ingest captured particles only occasionally. Video footage suggests that some species with adelphophagic direct development capture but frequently fail to ingest particles compared to species with the other MODs. Together these lines of evidence show that, among calyptraeids at least, species that lack planktotrophic larvae often retain the structures and functions necessary to successfully capture and ingest particles, reducing the barriers to the re-evolution of planktotrophy.
Cell segregation and boundary formation during nervous system development.
González-Ramírez MC, Guzmán-Palma P, Oliva C
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930355 · Publisher ↗
The development of multicellular organisms involves three main events: differentiation, growth, and morphogenesis. These processes need to be coordinated for a correct developmental program to work. Mechanisms of cell se...
The development of multicellular organisms involves three main events: differentiation, growth, and morphogenesis. These processes need to be coordinated for a correct developmental program to work. Mechanisms of cell segregation and the formation of boundaries during development play essential roles in this coordination, allowing the generation and maintenance of distinct regions in an organism. These mechanisms are also at work in the nervous system. The process of regionalization involves first the patterning of the developing organism through gradients and the expression of transcription factors in specific regions. Once different tissues have been induced, segregation mechanisms may operate to avoid cell mixing between different compartments. Three mechanisms have been proposed to achieve segregation: (1) differential affinity, which mainly involves the expression of distinct pools of adhesion molecules such as members of the cadherin superfamily; (2) contact inhibition, which is largely mediated by Eph-ephrin signaling; and (3) cortical tension, which involves the actomyosin cytoskeleton. In many instances, these mechanisms collaborate in cell segregation. In the last three decades, there have been several advances in our understanding of how cell segregation and boundaries participate in the development of the nervous system. Interestingly, as in other aspects of development, the molecular players are remarkably similar between vertebrates and invertebrates. Here we summarize the main concepts of cell segregation and boundary formation, focusing on the nervous system and highlighting the similarities between vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms.
Measuring functional brain recovery in regenerating planarians by assessing the behavioral response to the cholinergic compound cytisine.
Pagán OR, Baker DL, Deats S … +3 more , O'Brien M, Dymond R, DeMichele G
Int J Dev Biol · 2020 · PMID 32930354 · Publisher ↗
Planarians are traditional model invertebrates in regeneration and developmental biology research that also display a variety of quantifiable behaviors useful to screen for pharmacologically active compounds. One such be...
Planarians are traditional model invertebrates in regeneration and developmental biology research that also display a variety of quantifiable behaviors useful to screen for pharmacologically active compounds. One such behavior is the expression of seizure-like movements (pSLMs) induced by a variety of substances. Previous work from our laboratory showed that cocaine, but not nicotine, induced pSLMs in intact but not decapitated planarians. Interestingly, as decapitated planarians regenerated their heads, they gradually recovered their sensitivity to cocaine. These results suggested a method to assess planarian brain regeneration and a possible way of identifying compounds that could enhance or hold back brain regeneration. In the present work, we demonstrate that the cholinergic agent cytisine is a suitable reference compound to apply our method. Cytisine induces pSLMs in a concentration-dependent manner in intact (but not decapitated) planarians of the species Girardia tigrina. Based on our data, we developed a behavioral protocol to assess planarian brain regeneration over time. We tested this method to measure the effect of ethanol on G. tigrina's brain regeneration. We found that ethanol slows down the rate of planarian brain regeneration in a concentration-dependent manner, consistently with data from other research groups that tested ethanol effects on planarian brain regeneration using different behavioral protocols. Thus, here we establish a general method using cytisine-induced pSLMs as an indicator of brain regeneration in planarians, a method that shows potential for assessing the effect of pharmacologically active compounds in this process.
Building the embryo of Developmental Biology in Uruguay.
Zolessi FR, Berois N, Brauer MM … +1 more , Castillo E
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930353 · Publisher ↗
In Uruguay, a country with a small population, and hence a small scientific community, there were no classical embryologists as such in the past. However, in the decade of the 1950s, a cumulus of favorable conditions gav...
In Uruguay, a country with a small population, and hence a small scientific community, there were no classical embryologists as such in the past. However, in the decade of the 1950s, a cumulus of favorable conditions gave rise to highly active and modern research groups in the fields of cytology and physiology, which eventually contributed to developmental biology. The advent of a long dictatorship between the 1970's and 1980's caused two things: a strong lag in local research and the migration of young investigators who learned abroad new disciplines and technologies. The coming back to democracy allowed for the return of some, now as solid researchers, and together with those who stayed, built a previously inexistent postgraduate training program and a globally-integrated academy that fostered diversity of research disciplines, including developmental biology. In this paper, we highlight the key contributions of pioneer researchers and the significant role played by academic and funding national institutions in the growth and consolidation of developmental biology in our country.
Developmental Biology in México.
Merchant-Larios H
Int J Dev Biol · 2021 · PMID 32930352 · Publisher ↗
Contemporary scientific endeavor in México emanates from two great public institutions: the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), founded in 1929 and 1936, respectiv...
Contemporary scientific endeavor in México emanates from two great public institutions: the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), founded in 1929 and 1936, respectively. Here, the first research institutes and centers dedicated to various scientific areas were created. Thus, the origin of most laboratories of Developmental Biology in México was like that of other scientific fields. In this article, I have attempted to describe the establishment of a specialized community involved in the understanding of organism development during ontogeny. The use of chick embryos to study heart development was among the first experimental approaches developed in México. Then, a younger group employed chick embryos to study the mechanisms underlying limb development. Various laboratory animal models have been employed, including mouse, rat, rabbit, and recently the naked mole-rat, as well as some wild species, such as sea turtles and bats. Two classical invertebrates, and also form part of the multilayered complex models used by Mexican developmental biologists. My use of animals brought me closer to the pioneer developmental biologists who worked with animal models. Their academic trajectory was more detailed than that of investigators using plant models. However, the pioneering merit and bright contributions of the two groups are on a par, regardless of the biological model. As current scientific knowledge is the sum of individual contributions throughout human history, here I have attempted to describe my suitable experience as a witness to the birth of the fascinating field of developmental biology in my country.
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