Cells self-organize in time and space, forming biological patterns. Examples of pattern formation in biology are very diverse and can be found in a wide variety of systems. For instance, the segmentation process along the longitudinal axes of vertebrates and invertebrates, the fine-grained mixtures of different cell types appearing in both plant and animal tissues, the regular arrangement of organs along the plant shoot, and the cell polarity patterns appearing in multiple cell types, among many others. Pattern formation can involve the coordination of several processes. For instance, at the cellular level, growth, cell fate specification, migration and cell-cell interactions can be important. All these processes are finely orchestrated in space and time by gene expression, which in turn could be affected by these processes. One of the aims in modern Cell and Developmental Biology is to decode the mechanisms underlying the cross-talk of morphogenetic and pattern formation processes.
In recent years, quantitative approaches such as systems modeling and quantitative microscopy have become essential for understanding the emergence of pattern formation in biology. The central goal of this collection of articles is to promote a quantitative and interdisciplinary perspective of biological pattern formation. To do that, we will aim to bring together the latest contributions by leading researchers in the field from a broad spectrum of disciplines (Physics, Mathematics, Computational Biology, Developmental Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology). Furthermore, this collection will cover the study of pattern formation in a wide diversity of biological systems, in order to better understand the underlying principles of pattern formation across biology.
Quantitative studies combining theoretical and experimental approaches, purely theoretical studies, and work addressing methodological aspects for the quantitative study of pattern formation processes are welcomed. Topics of interest include pattern formation in reaction-diffusion systems, polarity establishment and maintenance, gene regulatory networks for pattern formation, morphogen gradients, synthetic patterns, chemotaxis, robustness of patterning, mechanical aspects of pattern formation and morphogenesis, and other mechanisms for self-organization in biology. Manuscripts describing original research (Original Research articles or shorter Brief Research Reports), as well as Reviews, Mini Reviews or Opinion articles are welcome.
Cells self-organize in time and space, forming biological patterns. Examples of pattern formation in biology are very diverse and can be found in a wide variety of systems. For instance, the segmentation process along the longitudinal axes of vertebrates and invertebrates, the fine-grained mixtures of different cell types appearing in both plant and animal tissues, the regular arrangement of organs along the plant shoot, and the cell polarity patterns appearing in multiple cell types, among many others. Pattern formation can involve the coordination of several processes. For instance, at the cellular level, growth, cell fate specification, migration and cell-cell interactions can be important. All these processes are finely orchestrated in space and time by gene expression, which in turn could be affected by these processes. One of the aims in modern Cell and Developmental Biology is to decode the mechanisms underlying the cross-talk of morphogenetic and pattern formation processes.
In recent years, quantitative approaches such as systems modeling and quantitative microscopy have become essential for understanding the emergence of pattern formation in biology. The central goal of this collection of articles is to promote a quantitative and interdisciplinary perspective of biological pattern formation. To do that, we will aim to bring together the latest contributions by leading researchers in the field from a broad spectrum of disciplines (Physics, Mathematics, Computational Biology, Developmental Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology). Furthermore, this collection will cover the study of pattern formation in a wide diversity of biological systems, in order to better understand the underlying principles of pattern formation across biology.
Quantitative studies combining theoretical and experimental approaches, purely theoretical studies, and work addressing methodological aspects for the quantitative study of pattern formation processes are welcomed. Topics of interest include pattern formation in reaction-diffusion systems, polarity establishment and maintenance, gene regulatory networks for pattern formation, morphogen gradients, synthetic patterns, chemotaxis, robustness of patterning, mechanical aspects of pattern formation and morphogenesis, and other mechanisms for self-organization in biology. Manuscripts describing original research (Original Research articles or shorter Brief Research Reports), as well as Reviews, Mini Reviews or Opinion articles are welcome.