Chapter 1 Cell patterning in vertebrate development: Models and model systems

Developing systems involve large numbers of cells, each carrying out a sequence of behaviors mediated by the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Understanding the means by which these behaviors meld to evolve as multicellular structures has remained a vexing problem. Introduction of cell autonomous lineage markers into developing embryos provides insights into the clonal nature of embryo construction. However, there has been little success in extracting anything but rudimentary information from these cell patterns, especially in mammals. As another approach, the chapter devises a simulation model that can reveal and evaluate the mechanisms underlying pattern generation and mimic cell patterns seen in experimental material. Although highly schematized, this model is capable of reproducing the very different amphibian and mammalian cell patterns. With a more robust tissue representation (for example, tensile and compressive forces), the model may be applied to other, more complex developmental systems. The use of modeling to understand the evolution and function of complex systems has a rich history in biology and the other sciences.