JDB MDPI

🎓 Journal of Developmental Biology Travel Award—Now Open for Applications

The Journal of Developmental Biology (JDB) (ISSN: 2221-3759) is pleased to announce its 2027 Travel Award for one outstanding junior scientist.

📢 This award supports attendance at an international conference in developmental biology in 2027, where the recipient may present an oral talk, a poster, or both.

💰 Award: CHF 800 + electronic certificate
🗓 Application Deadline: 31 December 2026
🏆 Winner Announced: 31 January 2027

🔬 Eligibility:

➡️ Postdoctoral fellows or PhD students
➡️ Planning to attend an international developmental biology conference in 2027

📄 Required Documents:

• Conference information and submitted abstract
• Curriculum vitae + publication list
• Justification letter (max. 800 words) describing research focus
• Letter of recommendation confirming applicant status

🖥 Apply here: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jdb/awards/3808
(click “Apply”)

Applications will be evaluated by a committee of senior scholars from the JDB Editorial Board.

💡 We encourage early-career researchers in developmental biology to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their work on an international stage.

🧬 Featured Review in JDB

Title: Epidermal Barrier Development via Corneoptosis: A Unique Form of Cell Death in Stratum Granulosum Cells
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/4/43

This review explores the formation of the mammalian epidermal barrier, highlighting the specialized cell death process, corneoptosis, that generates the stratum corneum.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Epidermal development originates from embryonic surface ectoderm, forming the basal layer that gives rise to all epidermal layers.
➡️ Sequential formation of epidermal layers includes: stratum intermedium → stratum spinosum → stratum granulosum → stratum corneum.
➡️ Corneoptosis, a unique form of cell death, transforms granular keratinocytes into flattened, dead cells that make up the protective stratum corneum.
➡️ Proper establishment of the epidermal barrier is essential for protection against pathogens, toxins, and physical damage.
➡️ Understanding these mechanisms provides insight into fundamental processes underlying skin development and barrier function.

💡 This work sheds light on the complex cellular and molecular events driving the formation of a functional epidermis, a key adaptation for terrestrial life.

🧬 Featured Review in JDB

Title: SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Late Pregnancy and Childbirth from the Perspective of Perinatal Pathology
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/4/42

This review examines the pathological features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in placental and fetal tissues, clarifying when true placental infection occurs and how it relates to pregnancy outcomes.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Viremia is rare in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2, and confirmed placental infection is uncommon (median ~2.8%).
➡️ Definite placental infection requires detection of viral RNA or proteins via in situ hybridization (ISH) or immunohistochemistry (IHC).
➡️ Confirmed cases show a characteristic pathology termed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis (SP).
➡️ SP is defined by a triad: intervillositis, perivillous fibrin deposition, and trophoblast necrosis.
➡️ Severe placental destruction (>75% involvement) is associated with placental insufficiency, fetal hypoxic–ischemic injury, and stillbirth.
➡️ Maternal thrombophilia may act synergistically with infection, contributing to pathological fibrin accumulation.
➡️ Definite fetal infection is exceptionally rare, even when placentitis is present.

💡 This review clarifies the pathological criteria for SARS-CoV-2 placental infection and highlights the mechanisms linking placental damage to adverse perinatal outcomes.

🧬 Featured Research Article in JDB

Title: Use of Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitors in an Ageing Model in Drosophila
📖 Read the full article here: http://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/4/40

This study presents a combined cell culture and Drosophila model system to test farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) as potential modulators of premature ageing phenotypes resembling Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS).

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Farnesylated nuclear membrane proteins (e.g., Progerin, Kugelkern, truncated Lamin B) induce abnormal nuclear morphology and accelerated ageing phenotypes.
➡️ FTIs ameliorate nuclear defects in cultured cells expressing farnesylated inner nuclear membrane proteins.
➡️ The FTI ABT-100 reversed nuclear abnormalities in Drosophila.
➡️ Lifespan assays showed that ABT-100 extended survival in experimentally induced short-lived flies.
➡️ The kugelkern-expressing fly model allows rapid lifespan testing due to its significantly shortened average lifespan.

💡 This work establishes a practical in vivo platform for screening anti-ageing compounds and supports the therapeutic potential of FTIs for progeroid syndromes and nuclear envelope-associated ageing disorders.

🧬 Featured Research Article in JDB

Title: The New Nematicide Cyclobutrifluram Targets the Mitochondrial Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex in Caenorhabditis elegans
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/4/39

This study investigates the molecular mode of action of the novel nematicide cyclobutrifluram, revealing how it affects survival and fertility in C. elegans and identifying its mitochondrial target.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Cyclobutrifluram significantly reduces survival and fertility in C. elegans, decreasing germ cell numbers.
➡️ Genetic analyses demonstrate that the compound inhibits the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex.
➡️ Transcriptomic (RNA-seq) analysis shows strong gene expression changes following exposure.
➡️ Detoxification-related genes, including cytochrome P450s and UGTs, are among the most deregulated.
➡️ Findings improve understanding of nematicide mode of action and may inform strategies to combat nematicide resistance.

💡 This work highlights C. elegans as a powerful model for studying nematicide mechanisms and supports the development of more targeted and effective crop protection strategies.

🧬 Featured Research Article in JDB

Title: Regulation and Function of FOXC1 in Osteoblasts
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/38

This study explores how FOXC1, a key transcription factor, is regulated by estrogen signaling and cooperates with GATA4 to control osteoblast differentiation and function. These findings provide insights into bone formation and mechanisms underlying bone loss during menopause.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ 17β-estradiol (E2) increases FOXC1 mRNA and protein levels in primary mouse and human osteoblasts.
➡️ GATA4 acts as a pioneer factor for ERα and is recruited to enhancers near FOXC1.
➡️ Knockdown or knockout of GATA4 reduces FOXC1 expression both in vitro and in vivo.
➡️ GATA4 and FOXC1 physically interact to regulate osteoblast proteins such as RUNX2.
➡️ ChIP-seq and luciferase assays confirm cooperative regulation of osteoblast differentiation genes.

💡 These findings reveal a transcriptional network involving ERα, GATA4, and FOXC1 that orchestrates osteoblast differentiation, shedding light on molecular pathways that may contribute to bone loss in postmenopausal women.

🧬 Featured Review in JDB

Title: Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using C. elegans as a Model Organism
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/37

This review highlights how C. elegans has been used as a model to uncover molecular barriers that restrict transcription factor-mediated cellular reprogramming in vivo. Understanding these barriers is critical for advancing regenerative medicine and ensuring safe, efficient generation of target cell types.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Direct cellular reprogramming (transdifferentiation) can convert existing cells into specialized cell types for tissue repair.
➡️ Reprogramming is often limited by cell fate-safeguarding mechanisms that prevent identity changes.
➡️ Incomplete reprogramming may result in cells with undesired properties, reducing therapeutic potential.
➡️ Studies in C. elegans have identified conserved molecular factors that act as barriers to transcription factor-induced reprogramming.
➡️ Insights from C. elegans are applicable to mammalian systems, informing strategies to improve reprogramming efficiency.

💡 Understanding and overcoming these molecular roadblocks is essential for safe and effective cellular reprogramming, paving the way for future regenerative therapies.

🧬 Featured Article in JDB

Title: Immunolocalization of Some Epidermal Proteins and Glycoproteins in the Growing Skin of the Australian Lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri)
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/35

This study investigates the cellular and molecular composition of growing skin in the Australian lungfish, offering valuable insights into skin evolution and mineralization processes in early vertebrates.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Juvenile lungfish epidermis is mucogenic and shows diffuse nestin expression, suggesting a role in skin growth and plasticity.
➡️ Sparse PCNA-positive cells indicate limited but ongoing cell proliferation in basal and suprabasal epidermal layers.
➡️ Scales are absent in small juveniles but appear progressively during growth, becoming well developed in larger juveniles.
➡️ Elastin and mineralizing matrix proteins localize beneath the basement membrane during lepidotrichia formation in the tail epidermis.
➡️ Early calcification is first detected in coniform teeth, preceding scale mineralization.
➡️ In scale-forming dermis, the outer bony layer (squamulin) contains osteonectin, alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and calcium deposits, while the underlying elasmodin layer lacks these components.
➡️ Mineralizing glycoproteins accumulate at growing scale margins, suggesting continuous bone deposition during scale growth.

💡 These findings highlight conserved mechanisms of bone formation in dermal structures and provide evolutionary insights into how vertebrate skin and skeletal tissues develop and mineralize.

🧬 Featured Article in JDB

Title: Vasa, Piwi, and Pl10 Expression during Sexual Maturation and Asexual Reproduction in the Annelid Pristina longiseta
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/34

This study explores the molecular basis of sexual maturation and asexual reproduction in the annelid Pristina longiseta, providing new insights into germline regulation in organisms capable of dual reproductive strategies.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ The study reports, for the first time, the expression of Vasa, Piwi, and Pl10 homologs in sexually mature P. longiseta.
➡️ Despite over 20 years of exclusive asexual propagation in laboratory culture, some individuals developed a fully functional sexual reproductive system.
➡️ Fully matured worms formed complete sexual apparatus, including spermatheca, atrium, seminal vesicles, ovisac, and clitellum, and were capable of producing cocoons.
➡️ Sexual maturation occurred alongside continued asexual reproduction via paratomic fission in many individuals.
➡️ Vasa, Piwi, and Pl10 were expressed in both somatic and germline tissues, including the posterior growth zone, fission zone, nervous system, germ cells, and gametes.

💡 These findings demonstrate that sexual maturation and asexual reproduction can coexist in P. longiseta and highlight the long-term preservation of germline potential, even after extended periods of agametic reproduction.

🧬 Featured Article in JDB

Title: Decreased Expression of Pulmonary Homeobox NKX2.1 and Surfactant Protein C in Developing Lungs That Over-Express Receptors for Advanced Glycation End-Products (RAGE)
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/33

This study investigates how elevated expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) disrupts normal lung development, shedding light on mechanisms underlying impaired alveolar formation and perinatal lethality.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Over-expression of RAGE in murine lung epithelium throughout development leads to severe lung hypoplasia and neonatal lethality.
➡️ Histological analyses revealed reduced lung parenchyma beginning in the canalicular stage and persisting through the saccular period.
➡️ Expression of NKX2.1 (TTF-1), a key transcription factor for branching morphogenesis, was significantly decreased in transgenic mice.
➡️ Levels of FoxA2, critical for respiratory epithelial differentiation, were also consistently reduced.
➡️ Diminished expression of surfactant protein C suggests impaired differentiation and/or proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells.

💡 These findings demonstrate that precise regulation of RAGE expression is essential for normal lung formation and highlight how dysregulated epithelial signaling can contribute to respiratory distress and perinatal lethality.

🧬 Featured Review in JDB

Title: Evolutionary Change in Gut Specification in Caenorhabditis Centers on the GATA Factor ELT-3 in an Example of Developmental System Drift
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/32

This review explores how gut specification has evolved in Caenorhabditis species, revealing how gene regulatory networks can change dramatically over time without altering the final developmental outcome.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Summarizes over two decades of research on the gut specification network in C. elegans.
➡️ Describes the canonical GATA factor cascade (SKN-1/POP-1 → MED → END → ELT) that specifies endoderm in C. elegans.
➡️ Highlights that key regulators (MED, END, ELT-7) are absent in more distantly related species.
➡️ Identifies ELT-3 as an ancestral GATA factor that specifies gut through a simpler ELT-3 → ELT-2 network.
➡️ Proposes how a more complex regulatory network may have evolved without changing gut phenotype.

💡 This work provides a clear example of Developmental System Drift, illustrating how developmental systems evolve while maintaining stable biological outcomes.

🧬 Featured Brief Report in JDB

Title: Patterning of the Vertebrate Head in Time and Space by BMP Signaling
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/31

This study provides new insights into how vertebrate head structures are patterned during development. Using timed BMP inhibition in frog embryos, the authors show that head formation is progressively determined along the anterior-posterior axis.

🔬 Highlights:

➡️ Frog embryos injected with Noggin at different stages showed sequential arrest of head development at specific positions.
➡️ Timed BMP inhibition fixed the expression of five key genes along the head axis:
• xcg-1 – cement gland (front-most structure)
• six3 – forebrain
• otx2 – forebrain and midbrain
• gbx2 – anterior hindbrain
• hoxd1 – posterior hindbrain
➡️ Results suggest the vertebrate head is patterned progressively from anterior to posterior.
➡️ BMP signaling acts in a temporal and spatial manner to regulate head formation.

💡 These findings advance our understanding of vertebrate cranial development and the role of signaling timing in embryonic patterning.