Elucidating mechanisms underlying robustness of morphogen gradients

Abstract

Morphogen gradients play a pivotal role in most phases of developmental patterning. To ensure proper patterning, reproducible gradients are established under diverse environmental conditions and genetic backgrounds. We refer to the capacity to buffer fluctuations in gene dosage or environmental conditions as 'robustness'. By theoretical analysis of mechanisms that facilitate robustness, it is possible to unravel the machinery responsible for generating the spatial distribution of morphogens.