📄 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

The Aorta-Gonad-Mesonephros niche shapes the functions of yolk sac-derived macrophages involved in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell generation ex vivo

This study reveals that yolk sac-derived macrophages acquire a unique, aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM)-specific niche-dependent phenotype upon entering the AGM microenvironment, where they utilize factors like Mmp2, Nrep, Ccl2, and Cxcl16, along with a novel regulatory role for F4/80, to enhance the generation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, offering new targets for improving in vitro HSC differentiation protocols.

Belmonte, R. L., Romano, M., Popravko, A., MacCallum, A., Kulkarni, S., Rumowska, M., Barone, C., Muratore, A., Blanks (…)2026-07-09
📄 developmental biology

Apoptosis-induced self-renewal of neurogenic progenitors safeguards retinal development against extensive cell loss

This study demonstrates that zebrafish retinal development maintains robustness against extensive cell loss by triggering a transient, non-cell autonomous switch in surviving neurogenic progenitors from differentiation to self-renewal, thereby compensating for lost cells while preserving proper tissue architecture and visual function.

Figueiredo, C., Tellkamp, G., Norden, C., Rocha-Martins, M.2026-07-09
📄 developmental biology

The endothelial scavenger receptor stab2 is required for proper hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell development in the fetal blood stem cell niche

This study demonstrates that the endothelial scavenger receptor Stab2 is essential for the proper development and maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the fetal blood stem cell niche, as its loss in zebrafish leads to a significant reduction in these critical cell populations.

Beacham, G. M., Ingram, Z. S., Elrefaie, R. A., Enkhbayar, K., Zener, Z. R., Affini, L., Wasim, Z. N., Dodge, M. C., Sre (…)2026-07-08
📄 developmental biology

GCK-4 regulates apical actin organization and lumen formation in the C. elegans intestine

This study identifies the Ste20 family kinase GCK-4 as a critical regulator of apical actin organization and lumen formation in the *C. elegans* intestine, demonstrating that it controls apical cytoskeletal architecture and junction patterning through mechanisms that are only partially dependent on ERM-1 phosphorylation.

Attaibi, M., Sepers, J. J., Ramalho, J. J., Nicolle, O., Hasenöhrl, L., Tzavellas, S., Schmidt, R., Michaux, G., Boxem (…)2026-06-08
📄 developmental biology

Minimal essential requirements for neural tube self-organisation

This study reveals that neural tube organoids achieve reproducible self-organisation and cell-type proportioning through a mechanism where retinoic acid induces a transient PAX6/FOXA2 co-expression state that resolves into opposing fates, with final tissue composition regulated by BMP-mediated feedback between these cell populations.

Stuart, H. T., Costantini, E., Wang, J., Krammer, T., Delas, M. J., Melchionda, M., Cornwall-Scoones, J., Schmauss, G. (…)2026-06-08
📄 developmental biology

Simple Methods to Acutely Measure Multiple Timing Metrics among Sexual Repertoire of Male Drosophila

This study introduces a streamlined protocol combining a modular chamber system and automated software (DrosoMating) to accurately and efficiently quantify six key timing metrics of male Drosophila courtship, offering a highly reproducible and scalable alternative to labor-intensive manual scoring for behavioral genetics research.

Song, Y., Miao, H., Sun, D., Liu, X., Jiang, F., Yang, X., Kim, W. J.2026-05-28