A mathematical investigation of a Clock and Wavefront model for somitogenesis

Somites are transient blocks of cells that form sequentially along the antero-posterior axis of vertebrate embryos. They give rise to the vertebrae, ribs and other associated features of the trunk. In this work we develop and analyse a mathematical formulation of a version of the Clock and Wavefront...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of mathematical biology 2006-04, Vol.52 (4), p.458-482
Main Authors: Baker, R E, Schnell, S, Maini, P K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Animals
Anomalies
Body Patterning - genetics
Body Patterning - physiology
Embryonic Development - genetics
Embryonic Development - physiology
Embryos
Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 - genetics
Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 - metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Mathematical analysis
Models, Biological
Perturbation
RNA, Messenger - genetics
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Segmentation
Somites
Somites - physiology
Somitogenesis
Vertebrae
Vertebrates
Wave fronts
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Summary:Somites are transient blocks of cells that form sequentially along the antero-posterior axis of vertebrate embryos. They give rise to the vertebrae, ribs and other associated features of the trunk. In this work we develop and analyse a mathematical formulation of a version of the Clock and Wavefront model for somite formation, where the clock controls when the boundaries of the somites form and the wavefront determines where they form. Our analysis indicates that this interaction between a segmentation clock and a wavefront can explain the periodic pattern of somites observed in normal embryos. We can also show that a simplification of the model provides a mechanism for predicting the anomalies resulting from perturbation of the wavefront.
ISSN:0303-6812
1432-1416
DOI:10.1007/s00285-005-0362-2