Zebrafish midline tissues coordinate their growth during embryonic development using a leader-follower strategy described by formation control, as reported by researchers from Japan and the USA. The notochord leads elongation, while adjacent tissues grow and migrate with it in response to fibroblast growth factor gradients, cadherin-2-mediated cell adhesion, and mechanosensory Yap signaling. The researchers could replicate this behavior using a mathematical model, revealing a control theory-based principle for harmonized tissue development in embryos.

Key takeaways

UCLA researchers have created a first-of-its-kind blueprint that captures how the ovarian reserve — a female’s lifetime supply of eggs — forms in primates.

The work provides the first cellular explanation for mini-puberty, a discovery that could serve as an early biomarker for identifying those at risk of ovarian dysfunction.

Armed with this new manual, scientists can now create more sophisticated and accurate 3D ovarian models, advancing the development of better treatments for infertility and hormonal disorders that affect millions of women worldwide.

Nucleic acid aptamers have attained significant prominence in diagnostics, therapeutics, and medical research owing to their affinity towards multiple molecular targets. Researchers have delved into the realm of aptamer research and their potential clinical applications, encompassing their prospects for treating a diverse array of orthopedic diseases. Although they can serve as an efficient and safe means for therapeutic delivery, further investigations regarding aptamer screening and production cost reduction are requisite.