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The simplicity of metazoan cell lineages

Author

Listed:
  • Ricardo B. R. Azevedo

    (University of Houston)

  • Rolf Lohaus

    (University of Houston
    German Cancer Research Center)

  • Volker Braun

    (German Cancer Research Center)

  • Markus Gumbel

    (German Cancer Research Center)

  • Muralikrishna Umamaheshwar

    (University of Houston)

  • Paul-Michael Agapow

    (Imperial College)

  • Wouter Houthoofd

    (Ghent University)

  • Ute Platzer

    (German Cancer Research Center)

  • Gaëtan Borgonie

    (Ghent University)

  • Hans-Peter Meinzer

    (German Cancer Research Center)

  • Armand M. Leroi

    (Imperial College)

Abstract

How complex is ‘complex’? The programs that control development in the embryos of multicellular animals are thought to be complex. But what does that mean? Can that complexity be quantified? Azevedo et al. have addressed this question based on the similarity between developmental and computer programs. Looking at the embryologies of animals such as roundworms whose cell lineages can be precisely determined, they find the course of development less complex than one would expect by chance. In fact, given the necessity of placing precise numbers of cells in particular positions in developing embryos, these cell lineages could not be much simpler than they are. Evolution has selected for decreased complexity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo B. R. Azevedo & Rolf Lohaus & Volker Braun & Markus Gumbel & Muralikrishna Umamaheshwar & Paul-Michael Agapow & Wouter Houthoofd & Ute Platzer & Gaëtan Borgonie & Hans-Peter Meinzer & Armand M, 2005. "The simplicity of metazoan cell lineages," Nature, Nature, vol. 433(7022), pages 152-156, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:433:y:2005:i:7022:d:10.1038_nature03178
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03178
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    Cited by:

    1. Arnab Bandyopadhyay & Huijing Wang & J Christian J Ray, 2018. "Lineage space and the propensity of bacterial cells to undergo growth transitions," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(8), pages 1-18, August.

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