Advances in Techniques for Measurement and Assessment of Physiological Processes in Developing Animals

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Background

This Research Topic involves the new and emerging research techniques for investigation of Developmental Physiology at all levels. Developmental physiology field can be broadly defined as the field of science aiming to understand the physiological processes shaping a fertilized egg of a species into a well-structured and functional multi-cellular organism. Animal studies are a major part of such investigations, during which animal embryos and newly born or newly hatched animals are examined to understand complex developmental processes. At the organ level, these examinations include morphological assessments for structural analysis, and physiological assessments for functional analysis of developing organs/systems, whereas at cell/tissue level, relevant analyses are carried out with molecular biology and biochemistry assays.

Traditionally, mammalian models such as mice and rats have been the most commonly used and dominant animal models in developmental biological research, for obvious reasons. Yet, non-mammalian species also provide unique advantages in such investigations on developmental processes such as ease of culture, experimentation, and access to the embryos. In recent years, we have witnessed an increased interest and new application areas for a variety of non-mammalian developmental animal models including the nematode C. Elegans, the fruit fly Drosphilia, the zebrafish Danio rerio, the clawed frog Xenopus and various bird species. In addition to studies on mammalian and non-mammalian established animal models, there is also a large number of developmental physiological studies on non-model wild, exotic or farm animals.

Precise measurement of physiological parameters is required for understanding developmental processes of specific organs and organ systems. Even though, there is a growing interest from the Developmental Biology community for such experimental techniques, most of these applications have been developed for specialized research labs and are not readily available for other interested researchers. Presentation of these techniques as articles in this Research Topic for Frontiers in Physiology – Developmental Physiology will contribute to the adaptation of useful techniques by other researchers, advancing the field of Developmental Physiology.

With this urgent need for broader dispersal of techniques in mind, we are organizing this Research Topic specifically on new and emerging techniques for examining specific physiological processes in developing animals. We welcome technical papers as well as review and research articles on application of relevant techniques.

The topics will include but not limited to:
- Advances in imaging technologies in developmental biology research, for cellular and tissue movements and subcellular dynamics;
- Experimental manipulation techniques of developmental processes, such as micro-surgeries, optical pacing and optogenetics;
- Techniques for long-term laboratory and field measurements for dynamic measurement of physiological parameters such as pressure or electrical activity as well as continuous monitoring of different biological markers such as oxygen, calcium, glucose etc.;
- Advances in assessment of tissue stiffness and elasticity during development, and elastography;
- Investigation of teratogens, and environmental factors on developmental processes and measurement of thermoregulatory functions;
- Advanced applications such as Biosensors, MEMS applications and Computational modeling of developmental processes.

The Guest Editors of this Research Topic encourage all interested researchers to submit an abstract before submitting their manuscript.

Keywords: Physiology monitoring, force measurement, pressure, manipulation, small animals, blood flow, simulation, imaging, elastography

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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