📄 Category

developmental biology

188 papers

Developmental biology explores the incredible journey of how a single cell transforms into a complex, living organism. This field investigates the molecular switches and cellular conversations that guide growth, tissue formation, and the emergence of unique body structures, helping us understand both the origins of life and the roots of developmental disorders.

At Gist.Science, we ensure you never miss a breakthrough by processing every new preprint in this category from bioRxiv. Our team provides both plain-language explanations and detailed technical summaries for each paper, making cutting-edge research accessible to everyone regardless of their scientific background.

Below are the latest studies in developmental biology, offering fresh insights into how life takes shape.

📄 developmental biology

Selective depletion of AMH-expressing granulosa cells in vivo impairs follicular development and fertility in female mice

This study demonstrates that the selective in vivo depletion of AMH-expressing granulosa cells in mice using a diphtheria toxin-mediated system severely impairs follicular development and fertility, leading to reduced oocyte maturation and ovulation, although some follicular recovery occurs after treatment cessation while the primordial follicle pool remains diminished.

Endo, T., Tamemasa, M., Hayakawa, K., Okada, F., Oyama, N., Watanabe, K., Lai, T., Nakano, Y., Fujioka, Y., Goto, M., Ta (…)2026-08-05
📄 developmental biology

Reconstructing whole-organism cell phylogenies with resolved ancestral transcriptional states

This study introduces the LEAP computational framework to reconstruct high-resolution zebrafish developmental phylogenies with imputed ancestral transcriptional states, enabling the first lineage-informed longitudinal analysis of cell dynamics in a non-nematode organism and revealing previously unappreciated waves of fate specialization and hidden incipient cell states.

Liu, Z., Deng, S., Zeng, H., Zhang, M., Liu, B., Xiang, H., Chen, Z., Zhang, A., Shendure, J., He, X.2026-08-02
📄 developmental biology

The 3D micro- and nanostructure of the apical extracellular matrix in Drosophila

This study utilizes advanced 3D volume electron microscopy to comprehensively map the intricate micro- and nanostructures of the *Drosophila* larval apical extracellular matrix, revealing diverse architectures in sensory organs, tracheal systems, and transport cells that inform the development of next-generation biomimetic materials.

Alkhateeb, T., Ibrahim, J., Richter, V., Thum, A. S., Behr, M.2026-07-31
📄 developmental biology

A nuclear targeting approach enables efficient transgenesis in the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus

This study establishes an efficient transgenesis system for the milkweed bug *Oncopeltus fasciatus* by combining CRISPR-Cas9-generated mutant strains with a nuclear targeting approach that enhances piggyBac-mediated transformation, thereby expanding the species' utility as a comparative model for advanced genetic research.

Shirai, Y., Hashmi, Y., Watts, A., Kao, J. A., Extavour, C. G.2026-07-31
📄 developmental biology

Spatial gene expression maps in vertebrate limbs display conserved and regenerative species-specific features within connective tissue

This study establishes spatial gene expression atlases of adult axolotl and mouse limbs, revealing that connective tissue in both regenerative and non-regenerative vertebrates shares conserved positional memory signatures while also exhibiting species-specific features that may underlie regenerative capacity.

McMann, C. L., Park, C., Cloutier, J. K., Reddien, P.2026-07-29
📄 developmental biology

Actively cycling cells in uninjured connective tissue are not a prerequisite for appendage regeneration

Using a pulse-chase strategy across four vertebrate species, this study refutes the hypothesis that pre-existing actively cycling stromal cells in uninjured connective tissue are required for appendage regeneration, demonstrating instead that regenerative capacity relies on de novo cell cycle re-entry rather than a "primed" proliferative population.

Oviedo-Rivadeneira, E. A., Seifert, A. W.2026-07-27
📄 developmental biology

Ectopic hAMH-driven SOX17 expression induces hyperplastic Sertoli valve formation in mouse testes

This study demonstrates that ectopic SOX17 expression in Sertoli cells, driven by the human AMH promoter, induces hyperplastic Sertoli valve formation and partially rescues infertility in rete testis-specific Sox17 knockout mice, revealing that SOX17-driven Sertoli cells can compensate for the loss of paracrine signaling from the rete testis via a shared downstream pathway.

Han, X., Uchida, A., Lee, S., Nakamura, K., Takahashi, K., Endo, T., Yanagida, A., Hiramatsu, R., Kudo, A., Kanai-Azuma (…)2026-07-24
📄 developmental biology

Sex Differences in Physiological Hair Cycling and Adhesive Material-Induced Hair Regeneration in Mice

This study reveals distinct sex differences in mice where males exhibit faster physiological hair cycling but females demonstrate accelerated adhesive-induced hair regeneration, a process that relies more heavily on macrophage-mediated wound healing in males than in females.

Chou, Y. Y., Inoue, M., Toge, T., Yoshimura, A., Takeuchi, S. Y., Takahashi, O., Haraguchi, K., Kawasaki, K., Kaminuma (…)2026-07-24
📄 developmental biology

Organoids reveal niche-specific mechanotransduction-guided human cortical patterning and cell fate acquisition

Using 3D human cortical organoids, this study demonstrates that disrupting the LINC complex decouples cells from their mechanical environment, leading to altered nuclear morphology, impaired ERK signaling and density sensing, and ultimately causing premature differentiation and defective cortical patterning.

Kingston, A. J., Wurmser, A. A. M., Kulkarni, A. S., Miao, K., Agsu, G. G., Lakatos, A., Basu, S.2026-07-16