Quantitative Experimental Embryology: A Modern Classical Approach

Abstract

Experimental Embryology is often referred to as a classical approach of developmental biology that has been to some extent replaced by the introduction of molecular biology and genetic techniques to the field. Inspired by the combination of this approach with advanced techniques to uncover core principles of neural crest development by the laboratory of Roberto Mayor, we review key quantitative examples of experimental embryology from recent work in a broad range of developmental biology questions. We propose that quantitative experimental embryology offers essential ways to explore the reaction of cells and tissues to targeted cell addition, removal, and confinement. In doing so, it is an essential methodology to uncover principles of development that remain elusive such as pattern regulation, scaling, and self-organisation.

Keywords: induction; mechanics; regulation; scaling.

Figure 1

A spectrum of chimeras. This diagram conceptualises examples of chimeras discussed across two axes: degree of naturality (i.e., naturally occurring or produced by experimental manipulation), and the proportion of foreign cells relative to total cell number. Naturally occurring chimeras include microchimeras (top left) and tetragametic chimeras (top right). Experimentally produced chimeras include grafted embryos (bottom left) and blastula aggregation experiments (bottom right). See text for details.