Katherine Brown

ojoplano-mediated basal constriction is essential for optic cup morphogenesis

Although the vertebrate retina is a well-studied paradigm for organogenesis, the morphogenetic mechanisms that carve the architecture of the vertebrate optic cup remain largely unknown. Understanding how the hemispheric shape of an eye is formed requires addressing the fundamental problem of how individual cell behaviour is coordinated to direct epithelial morphogenesis. Here, we analyze the role of ojoplano (opo), an uncharacterized gene whose human ortholog is associated with orofacial clefting syndrome, in the morphogenesis of epithelial tissues. Most notably, when opo is mutated in medaka fish, optic cup folding is impaired. We characterize optic cup morphogenesis in vivo and determine at the cellular level how opo affects this process. opo encodes a developmentally regulated transmembrane protein that localizes to compartments of the secretory pathway and to basal end-feet of the neuroepithelial precursors. We show that Opo regulates the polarized localization of focal adhesion components to the basal cell surface. Furthermore, tissue-specific interference with integrin-adhesive function impairs optic cup folding, resembling the ocular phenotype observed in opo mutants. We propose a model of retinal morphogenesis whereby opo-mediated formation of focal contacts is required to transmit the mechanical tensions that drive the macroscopic folding of the vertebrate optic cup.

Nlcam modulates midline convergence during anterior neural plate morphogenesis

During development, different cell types must undergo distinct morphogenetic programs so that tissues develop the right dimensions in the appropriate place. In early eye morphogenesis, retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) move first towards the midline, before turning around to migrate out into the evaginating optic vesicles. Neighbouring forebrain cells, however, converge rapidly and then remain at the midline. These differential behaviours are regulated by the transcription factor Rx3. Here, we identify a downstream target of Rx3, the Ig-domain protein Nlcam, and characterise its role in regulating cell migration during the initial phase of optic vesicle morphogenesis. Through sophisticated live imaging and comprehensive cell tracking experiments in zebrafish, we show that ectopic expression of Nlcam in RPCs, as is observed in Rx3 mutants, causes enhanced convergence of these cells. Expression levels of Nlcam therefore regulate the migratory properties of RPCs. Our results provide evidence that the two phases of optic vesicle morphogenesis: slowed convergence and outward-directed migration, are under different genetic control. We propose that Nlcam forms part of the guidance machinery directing rapid midline migration of forebrain precursors, where it is normally expressed, and that its ectopic expression upon loss of Rx3 imparts these migratory characteristics upon RPCs.

The Node and beyond–using social media in cell and developmental biology

Traditionally, strong scientific communities have been at least partly built around physical proximity - either by members of the same department or institute, or through regular meetings and conferences. The online environment and the rise of social media platforms now make it easier to build virtual communities of geographically dispersed people with a common interest. In this article, we explore how such networks can be nurtured, focussing on the Node - a community blog for and by developmental biologists. We also discuss the value of social media outlets like Twitter in building and maintaining scientific communities online.

Introducing cross-referee commenting in peer review.

Summary: Following our recent community survey on priorities in peer review and online publishing, this Editorial announces some of the changes we are making to respond to your feedback.

Developing peer review

SUMMARY: In this Editorial, we discuss changes to Developments Reviewer Guidelines and Report Forms, which aim to make the peer-review process more efficient and helpful for authors.

An interview with James Briscoe

James Briscoe is a group leader at The Francis Crick Institute in London. His labs research focusses on the developing vertebrate spinal cord, with a particular interest in how sonic hedgehog gradients, and the downstream signal transduction and transcriptional networks, regulate the development of this tissue. In September 2018, James will become the new Editor-in-Chief of Development. We met with James to discuss his career and research interests, the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in developmental biology, and his views on the current state and future opportunities in scientific publishing. Summary: James Briscoe, who will become Developments Editor-in-Chief later this year, talks about his career and research interests, the importance of interdisciplinary thinking, the value of Twitter and the future of scientific publishing.

Introducing preLights: preprint highlights, selected by the biological community

We are excited to announce the launch of preLights ( ), a new service from The Company of Biologists. preLights is a community platform for selecting, highlighting and commenting on recent preprints from across the biological sciences. With this service, we aim to

A new Editor-in-Chief for Development

Summary: We are delighted to announce that James Briscoe will be taking over from Olivier Pourquié as the journals Editor-in-Chief. In this Editorial, we also share some of the feedback we received during our recent community consultation.

Human development: recent progress and future prospects

Summary: Our second Special Issue on human development highlights recent progress in this field, new technologies that have contributed to this progress and some of the ethical issues to consider.

An interview with Elly Tanaka

Elly Tanaka is a senior scientist at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology in Vienna, Austria. Her labs research uses the axolotl – which possesses impressive regenerative capacity – to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying limb and spinal cord regeneration. We met Elly in her office in Vienna on the occasion of the recent SY-Stem symposium (see Meeting Review by Porrello and Kirkeby in this issue) to talk about what drew her to regeneration research and the axolotl, the challenges of working in this field, and how she and her colleagues at the Vienna BioCenter are trying to support the new generation of stem cell researchers. Summary: Elly Tanaka discusses how she became interested in regeneration and why the axolotl is such a great model, as well as the importance of giving a voice to the next generation of researchers.