How do cells integrate signals? Roles of timing in neural induction (360G-Wellcome-102485_Z_13_A)

During embryonic development cells have to integrate up to eight molecular pathways in order to choose between alternative fates or behaviours. However, even in combination, these eight pathways cannot provide enough information to specify the many (perhaps as many as 104) cell types that comprise the adult body. Timing seems to be important. One of the earliest fate decisions in embryonic development occurs soon after gastrulation during neural induction when one part of the epiblast is set apart, acquiring neural identity in response to signals from the organiser, Hensen’s node. A recent view is that neural induction is highly regulated in time and that it involves several steps. Competent cells, capable of responding to signals from the organiser, go through different states of specification before committing to the neural fate. Here we aim to understand how timing orchestrates neural induction. Specifically, we will uncover whether competence to respond to inducing signals is regulated by a cell-autonomous clock or by external instructions, how competent cells can sense exposure to signals of different duration and how this signal changes over time to generate an appropriately regionalised neural plate.