Molecular and morphogenetic control of feather pattern formation – PLUME

Animals exhibit an exquisite diversity of adaptive patterns. What mechanisms produce pattern variation while ensuring species-specific fidelity? We propose to study candidate pattern-forming processes by exploiting inter-species variation in patterns formed by feather precursors (primordia) in birds. We designed an interdisciplinary innovative approach in which biological, biophysical and mathematical modelling tests are combined to identify and functionally assess developmental events controlling the spatial arrangement of primordia in specific geometries. Our specific research objectives are to identify the hierarchy of pattern forming mechanisms establishing initial patterning spaces, characterise material properties and mechanical stresses controlling primordia self-organisation, and uncover how how cell and mechanical dynamics control the timely wave of primordia production. This work will shed light on the mechanisms governing pattern variation and fidelity in nature.