| | |  | | | | Record from Web of Science® | | | | | | |
| Pattern formation by local self-activation and lateral inhibition |
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| Author(s): Meinhardt H, Gierer A |
| Source: BIOESSAYS Volume: 22 Issue: 8 Pages: 753-760 Published: AUG 2000 |
| Times Cited: 173 References: 58 |
| Abstract: In 1972, we proposed a theory of biological pattern formation in which concentration maxima of pattern forming substances are generated through local self-enhancement in conjunction with long range inhibition. Since then, much evidence in various developmental systems has confirmed the importance of autocatalytic feedback loops combined with inhibitory interaction. Examples are found in the formation of embryonal organizing regions, in segmentation, in the polarization of individual cells, and in gene activation. By computer simulations, we have shown that the theory accounts for much of the regulatory phenomena observed, including signalling to regenerate removed parts. These self-regulatory features contribute to making development robust and error-tolerant. Furthermore, the resulting pattern is, to a large extent, independent of the details provided by initial conditions and inducing signals. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Meinhardt, H (reprint author), Max Planck Inst Entwicklungsbiol, Spemannstr 35, D-2076 Tubingen, Germany |
Addresses:
1. Max Planck Inst Entwicklungsbiol, D-2076 Tubingen, Germany |
| Publisher: COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS LTD, BIDDER BUILDING CAMBRIDGE COMMERCIAL PARK COWLEY RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 4DL, CAMBS, ENGLAND |
| Subject Category: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Biology |
| IDS Number: 339RK |
| ISSN: 0265-9247 |
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| | | | | | | | | Record from Web of Science® | | | | | | | | | |