Elegant hypothesis and inelegant fact in development biology

The relationship between theoretical and experimental approaches to the problem of pattern generation during embryonic development has often been uneasy. This stems from the different emphases that have typically been used in the 2 approaches. The success of modern genetic techniques in uncovering d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Endeavour (New series) 2000-01, Vol.24 (4), p.170-173
Main Author: Monk, N A M
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The relationship between theoretical and experimental approaches to the problem of pattern generation during embryonic development has often been uneasy. This stems from the different emphases that have typically been used in the 2 approaches. The success of modern genetic techniques in uncovering developmental mechanisms has led to a widespread belief that theory is no longer relevant. However, recent examples of data-driven modelling point to new roles for theoretical approaches in exploring important issues such as the robustness and evolution of pattern-forming mechanisms. In this paper, 2 case studies concerning developmental pattern formation in embryos of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, are used to illustrate how theoretical approaches to reproduce observed patterns of behaviour are, at best, misguided and potentially misleading. (Original abstract - amended)
ISSN:0160-9327