Deconstructing the molecular mechanisms shaping the vertebrate body plan

Aires, Rita; Dias, André; Mallo, Moisés

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.7/907

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
Aires2018.pdf		516 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Aires, Rita

Dias, André

Mallo, Moisés

Abstract(s)

The large display of body shapes and sizes observed among vertebrates ultimately represent variations of a common basic body plan. This likely results from the use of homologous developmental schemes, just differentially tinkered both in amplitude and timing by natural selection. In this review, we will revisit, discuss and combine old ideas with new concepts to update our view on how the vertebrate body is built. Recent advances, particularly at the molecular level, will guide our deconstruction of the individual developmental modules that sequentially produce head, neck, trunk and tail structures, and the transitions between them.