📄 Category

developmental biology

162 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

Monitoring Fatty Acid Trafficking during Drosophila oogenesis Reveals a Role for the Triglyceride Synthase DGAT1 in Protecting Mitochondrial Integrity

This study demonstrates that in Drosophila oogenesis, lipid droplets serve as essential buffers that prevent mitochondrial lipotoxicity by storing fatty acids, while simultaneously mobilizing them via triglyceride lipase ATGL to fuel mitochondrial energy production, a balance critically maintained by the triglyceride synthase DGAT1.

White, R. P., Kilwein, M., Welte, M. A.2026-08-12
📄 developmental biology

Environment-specific mechanosensing preserves a common bleb-based migratory program across diverse embryonic environments

This study reveals that chick primordial germ cells maintain a conserved bleb-based migratory program across diverse embryonic environments by employing distinct, environment-specific molecular mechanisms—specifically the NE-cPLA2 pathway in mechanically confined tissues and an alternative pathway in vascular spaces—to initiate the same cellular behavior.

Morimoto, M., Kamei, Y., Morita, M., Ikenouchi, J., Hayashi, Y., Saito, D.2026-08-12
📄 developmental biology

Crystallization of magnesium calcite otoconia in the inner ear of the developing quail

This study reconstructs the developmental crystallization of magnesium calcite otoconia in the Japanese quail lagena, revealing that these biominerals form through the progressive growth, alignment, and fusion of particles within an organic compartment, a process that precedes cranial bone formation and establishes a hierarchical crystal structure.

Kedar, E., Lim, J. H., Scoppola, E., Fratzl, P., Amini, S., Raguin, E.2026-08-11
📄 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