image: Feathers exhibit complex pigment patterns and can be a great model to learn how morphogenesis patterns stem cells into organized tissues. Lin et al. identify feather follicle melanocyte progenitors and demonstrate how complex patterns can emerge from multi-dimensional modulations of simple regulatory mechanisms. Feathers shown are from Silver Laced Wyandotte, Barred Rock, and Guineafowl (from left to right). This image relates to a paper that appeared in the April 26, 2013, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by S.J. Lin at University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., and colleagues was titled, "Topology of Feather Melanocyte Progenitor Niche Allows Complex Pigment Patterns to Emerge." view more
Credit: [Photo credit: Ting Xin Jiang. Figure design: Randall B Widelitz]