Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Maximal intensity projection image of an epithelial rudiment of mouse submandibular gland (epiSMG) in the set-up of 3D force distribution analysis. The epiSMG was cultured in Matrigel containing carboxylate-modified fluorescent microbeads (magenta, pseudocoloured). Filamentous actin networks of epiSMG were stained by Phalloidin (grey, pseudocoloured) and proliferating cells were immune-labelled by anti-phosphorylated histone antibody (green). The spatial force distribution around the surface of epiSMG was measured by tracking the movement of fluorescent microbeads. See Research article by Kim et al. (dev190785).
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
INTERVIEW
PRIMER
Model systems for regeneration: Arabidopsis
Summary: This Primer discusses the repertoire of regenerative responses shown by plants, despite their rigid cell walls and lack of cell migration, using Arabidopsis as a model.
REVIEWS
The development and stem cells of the esophagus
Summary: This Review is focused on the roles of the major signaling pathways and transcription factors in the specification, morphogenesis and maintenance of the esophagus.
Mammalian primordial germ cell specification
Summary: The peri-implantation window of mammalian development is crucial for primordial germ cell (PGC) specification. This Review discusses the induction of PGCs in key mammalian models, including the new stem cell-based embryo models.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Dynamic extrinsic pacing of the HOX clock in human axial progenitors controls motor neuron subtype specification
Highlighted Article: Control by extrinsic factors of the sequential activation of HOX genes in axial progenitors is revealed by motor neuron subtype specification in human pluripotent stem cells.
Defining the signalling determinants of a posterior ventral spinal cord identity in human neuromesodermal progenitor derivatives
Summary: An efficient strategy is described for the in vitro generation of previously hard-to-produce posterior spinal cord progenitors and MNs exhibiting a thoracic axial and, in particular, preganglionic columnar identity.
STEM CELLS AND REGENERATION
Ecdysone regulates the Drosophila imaginal disc epithelial barrier, determining the length of regeneration checkpoint delay
Summary: The Drosophila imaginal disc epithelial barrier matures in response to increasing ecdysone levels and re-localization of Cora along the lateral membrane: this limits Dilp8 signaling and determines the duration of regeneration-induced developmental delay.
PRDM16 regulates a temporal transcriptional program to promote progression of cortical neural progenitors
Summary: During neocortical development, PRDM16 promotes temporal progression of radial glia by regulating a dynamic gene expression program. This activity ensures the transition from mid- to late-neurogenesis.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Groucho co-repressor proteins regulate β cell development and proliferation by repressing Foxa1 in the developing mouse pancreas
Summary: Pancreatic β cells require Groucho co-repressors during development to repress a master regulator of the liver genetic program, Foxa1, and to allow Neurod1-mediated β cell expansion.
Blocking estrogen-induced AMH expression is crucial for normal follicle formation
Highlighted Article: An in vitro study inferring that successful follicle assembly under the circulating physiological level of estrogen in the mouse fetus is achieved by liver-produced alpha-fetoprotein.
A mechanogenetic role for the actomyosin complex in branching morphogenesis of epithelial organs
Summary: Actomyosin contractility guides the architectures of epithelial organs and regulates gene expression for progenitor cell patterning during branching morphogenesis.
An L-type lectin receptor-like kinase promotes starch accumulation during rice pollen maturation
Summary:abnormal pollen 1 encodes an L-type lectin receptor-like kinase and affects pollen starch accumulation through interaction with and phosphorylation of OsUGP2.
Sox2-Evf2 lncRNA-mediated mechanisms of chromosome topological control in developing forebrain
Highlighted Article: Evf2 lncRNA-enhancer targeting and long-range gene repression occur through regulation of pioneer transcription factor Sox2 in large subnuclear domains, controlling domain sizes, localization, site-specific Sox2 recruitment and DNA binding.
TECHNIQUES AND RESOURCES
A developmental lineage-based gene co-expression network for mouse pancreatic β-cells reveals a role for Zfp800 in pancreas development
Summary: Calculation of a gene co-expression network for pancreatic β-cell development reveals crucial roles for the clustered protocadherin genes and Zfp800 in pancreas development.
Protein manipulation using single copies of short peptide tags in cultured cells and in Drosophila melanogaster
Summary: Single copies of short epitope tags were inserted into proteins of interest, allowing for in vivo binding and manipulation of the resulting chimeric proteins by genetically encoded epitope binders.
Pathway to Independence programme

We’re excited to announce our new Pathway to Independence programme, aimed at supporting postdocs as they go on the job market. Find out more about the scheme in our Editorial.
Call for papers: Metabolic and Nutritional Control of Development and Regeneration

We are welcoming submissions for our next special issue, which will focus on metabolic and nutritional control of development and regeneration. Submission deadline: 15 May 2023.
Webinar: Increasing the visibility and impact of your research
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Would you like to increase the visibility and impact of your research and raise your profile internationally? If so, register for the very practical webinar we are running in association with HUBS on 23 February 2023.
Transitions in development: Daniel Grimes

Daniel Grimes’s lab studies the consequences of ciliary mutations, including left-right patterning defects and scoliosis. We interviewed Daniel to find out more about his career path, his experience of becoming a group leader and the influence of Jurassic Park.
Preprints in Development
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As part of our efforts to support the use of preprints and help curate the preprint literature, we are delighted to launch a new article type: ‘In preprints’. These pieces will discuss one or more recent preprints and place them in a broader context.