Synchronised waves control embryonic patterning
(PHYSorg.com Biology)

During an embryo`s journey from a single cell to a complex organism, countless patterning processes make sure that the right cells develop in exactly the right location and at the right time. Cells activate specific genes in a rhythmic manner during this early development, resulting in waves of activation sweeping through the embryo. Scientists at EMBL now show that the rhythm between two specific sets of waves-controlled by the Wnt and Notch pathways-enables the formation of new segments. They have reported the results of their study in Cell.