How is embryonic development timed and scaled? (360G-Wellcome-202756_Z_16_Z)

How embryonic development is timed and scaled remains enigmatic. Understanding the underlying mechanisms remains a central challenge in biology, since these mechanisms coordinate the growth and patterning of all tissues and organs and when disrupted are likely to form the basis of many congenital disorders. My recent work on the developing chick wing demonstrates a pivotal role for intrinsic timers in limb development. In this fellowship, I will build on preliminary data and elucidate the molecular nature of intrinsic timing mechanisms. I will define the intrinsically and extrinsically regulated transcriptome to build a picture of how these processes control embryonic limb development. I will determine the degree to which developmental time can be reset and ask if this gives insights into constraints that are imposed on limb regeneration. Finally, I will advance this work by asking how extrinsic signals and intrinsic timing mechanisms interact to scale growth and patterning in relation with species-specific gestation rates.