developmental biology papers

Environmental factors that impact the development of infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum

This study reveals that the infective juvenile development of the entomopathogenic nematode *Steinernema hermaphroditum* is regulated by distinct environmental cues—including reduced temperature, the presence of symbiotic *Xenorhabdus griffiniae* bacteria, and nutrient-rich media—differing significantly from the heat- and pheromone-driven dauer formation in *Caenorhabditis elegans* and reflecting species-specific ecological adaptations.

Cao, M.2026-04-08📄 developmental biology

Real-Time Multi-Position and Multi-ROI Tracking with LiLiTTool for Smart Light-Sheet Microscopy in Growing Samples

The paper introduces LiLiTTool, a real-time, open-source multi-ROI tracking system that integrates deep learning-based motion prediction with sensor fusion to maintain user-defined regions of interest within the field of view during long-term light-sheet microscopy of growing samples, such as zebrafish embryos.

Helsens, C., Pili, F., Vasquez, E. + 4 more2026-04-07📄 developmental biology

Pax6 homologs are required for patterning both visual systems of the daddy-longlegs Phalangium opilio

This study provides the first functional evidence in chelicerates that Pax6 homologs (ey and toy), rather than Pax2, are essential for patterning both median and lateral visual systems in the daddy-longlegs *Phalangium opilio*, suggesting that the atypical Pax gene dynamics observed in derived spiders result from heterochronic shifts in expression rather than a fundamental change in gene function.

Laumer, E. M., Neu, S. M., Klementz, B. C. + 3 more2026-04-07📄 developmental biology

Generation of Genetically Identical Mammalian Oocytes from Parthenogenetic Double-Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells

This study establishes a robust platform for generating genetically identical mammalian oocytes by utilizing parthenogenetic double-haploid embryonic stem cells in Prdm14-deficient blastocyst complementation to produce viable, fertile, maternally semi-cloned mice, thereby overcoming the stochastic limitations of traditional mammalian cloning.

Lin, J., Zou, G., Wei, S. + 11 more2026-04-07📄 developmental biology

Loss of Ehmt2/G9a function in zebrafish is associated with global deficiency in H3K9 dimethylation, misregulated cell cycle dynamics, and embryonic developmental delay

This study establishes the first maternal-zygotic *ehmt2* loss-of-function zebrafish model, revealing that while the mutation causes global H3K9 dimethylation deficiency and delays embryonic development by prolonging progenitor cell cycle phases, robust epigenetic compensation allows the mutants to survive and remain fertile.

McDonnell, T. E., Meda, F., Deimling, S. J. + 1 more2026-04-07📄 developmental biology

Fgf3 and Fgf10a regulate neuronal fasciculation through Schwann cell proliferation and infiltration in zebrafish posterior lateral line

This study reveals that in zebrafish, Fgf3 and Fgf10a ensure proper neuronal fasciculation of the posterior lateral line nerve by restricting Schwann cell proliferation and infiltration, which otherwise disrupt axonal bundling.

Wong, H. J., Matsui, T., Bessho, Y. + 1 more2026-04-07📄 developmental biology

Mechanochemical instabilities drive digit morphogenesis in organoids

This study demonstrates that digit morphogenesis in limb organoids is driven by a mechanical fingering instability arising from the interplay of differential cell adhesion, chemotaxis, and convergent extension, a process that can be accurately modeled using continuum equations analogous to fluid phase separation.

Tsutsumi, R., Diez, A. N., Plunder, S. + 10 more2026-04-06📄 developmental biology

Comparison of immunohistochemistry methods in embryonic chicken corneal tissue

This study demonstrates that the optimal immunohistochemistry method for embryonic chicken corneal tissue is marker-dependent, with cryosectioning providing superior results for nuclear and immune-related antigens while wax embedding with antigen retrieval better preserves tissue architecture for structural markers.

Harkins, J., Hill, M., Chojnowski, J.2026-04-06📄 developmental biology

Spermatogonial stem cells and their differentiation roadmap throughout marmoset development

This study utilizes single-cell transcriptional profiling of marmoset testes across developmental stages to map the differentiation roadmap of male germ cells, identifying CITED2 as a link between gonocytes and spermatogonia and proposing NANOS2 and DPPA4 as key regulators of spermatogonial plasticity and differentiation.

Paturlanne, J. M., Di Persio, S., Lange, T. + 13 more2026-04-06📄 developmental biology

Interactive Effects of Biological Maturation and Relative Age Effect on Talent Identification for U16 Elite Soccer Players

This retrospective study of 56 elite U16 male soccer players in Shanghai reveals that while biological maturation significantly influences anthropometric and physical performance metrics, the relative age effect does not impact talent selection indicators, likely due to accumulated training loads, indicating that these two factors operate independently in youth soccer talent identification.

Li, X., Gong, Y., Jiang, W. + 5 more2026-04-06📄 developmental biology

The dynamics of piRNA expression in Blattella germanica ovaries

This study characterizes the dynamic expression of piRNAs in *Blattella germanica* ovaries across seven developmental stages, revealing that while piRNA diversity decreases during vitellogenesis due to the enrichment of specific transcripts, their coordinated fluctuations suggest a dual regulatory role in modulating both transposable elements and mRNAs to support follicle maturation.

Pujal, D., Ylla, G., Bau, J. + 1 more2026-04-06📄 developmental biology

GPLD1 Regulates the Shedding of IZUMO1R to Block Polyspermy in Porcine Oocyte

This study identifies GPLD1 as the critical enzyme that mediates the shedding of the JUNO receptor from porcine oocytes following fertilization, thereby establishing a membrane block to polyspermy and enhancing in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Chen, B., Shi, L., Xia, F. + 7 more2026-04-05📄 developmental biology

Axial Patterning Beyond the Individual: Colony-level Organization in a Siphonophore Colony

This study reveals that conserved developmental regulators, including Hox and Wnt pathway genes, exhibit region-specific expression along the stem of the siphonophore *Agalma okenii*, demonstrating that canonical axial patterning mechanisms operate at the colony level to organize genetically identical zooids into a functionally integrated superorganism.

Oguchi, K., Yao, A., Kohtsuka, H. + 2 more2026-04-05📄 developmental biology

Early impact of gestational protein restriction on nephrogenesis in male mouse offspring: Role of Autophagy and Apoptosis Mechanisms

This study demonstrates that early gestational protein restriction in male mouse offspring alters renal growth factor expression and dysregulates autophagy and apoptosis pathways, ultimately contributing to reduced nephron numbers by the 18th day of gestation.

Rocha, J. A., Boer, P. A., Folguieri, M. S. + 1 more2026-04-05📄 developmental biology

Sharp cell type boundaries emerge from coordinated morphogen signaling

This study reveals that coordinated temporal alignment between Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways restricts the duration and abundance of intermediate cell states during hair follicle development, thereby transforming continuous morphogen gradients into sharp, discrete cell-type boundaries.

Li, R., Jiang, Y., Platt, S. + 11 more2026-04-05📄 developmental biology

The fidelity of mRNA translation as a novel regulatory layer for brain development

This study establishes that mRNA translation fidelity is a dynamically regulated, tissue-specific process essential for efficient neuronal differentiation, revealing that higher accuracy in the brain and muscle is developmentally tuned to ensure proper proteome integrity during organogenesis.

Best, J., Akaphan, P., Tripathi, I. + 6 more2026-04-04📄 developmental biology

BDNF Regulates Pituitary Stem Cell Engagement towards precursor state

This study identifies brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as the critical signal that engages pituitary stem cells to differentiate into a glucocorticoid-sensitive precursor state, which acts as a signaling hub to maintain pituitary-adrenal homeostasis during stress response regulation.

Sochodolsky, K., Khetchoumian, K., Balsalobre, A. + 6 more2026-04-04📄 developmental biology

GLIS3 is a key regulator of astrocyte differentiation in human neural stem cells

This study identifies the transcription factor GLIS3 as a critical regulator of human neural stem cell differentiation into astrocytes by directly controlling the expression of key astrocyte genes in coordination with lineage-determining factors, suggesting its dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative disorders.

Pradhan, T., Kang, H. S., Jeon, K. + 3 more2026-04-04📄 developmental biology

A supervised digital game intervention supports language and communication in young children.

A supervised, tablet-based intervention involving brief, interactive word-image associations significantly improved language comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar in children aged 2 to 5 from low- to middle-socioeconomic backgrounds, demonstrating that structured, socially guided digital media can effectively support early language development.

Pena, M., Dehaene-Lambertz, G., Pino, E. + 5 more2026-04-04📄 developmental biology

Epilepsy-associated potassium channel KCNT1 is required for multiciliated cell development in Xenopus

This study reveals that pathogenic variants in the epilepsy-associated gene KCNT1 cause severe multisystem developmental defects, including respiratory and cardiac issues, by disrupting multiciliated cell formation in Xenopus through an interaction with Piezo signaling pathways.

Chemel, A. K., McCluskey, K. E., Tran, M. N. + 2 more2026-04-03📄 developmental biology

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