Lewis Wolpert, University College, London, United Kingdom
Published online: July 2008
DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0020914
Pattern formation in development can be based on the cells acquiring positional values as in a coordinate system, and then interpreting these values with appropriate cell differentiation. Whether morphogen gradients specify position remains unclear.
Keywords: pattern; embryo; positional; morphogen; gradients
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Figure 1. The French flag model. Each cell in the line has the potential to develop into a red, white or blue cell. A gradient in a morphogen together with thresholds can result in the development of the French flag. Reproduced from Wolpert et al. (
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