The expression of genetic information in terms of pattern and form is a central problem, not only for Biology, but for Artificial Life also. The translation of genetic information into shapes and patterns is what links genetics to morphology - genotype to phenotype - and must have crucial consequences for a variety of central issues from evolution to learning.
Following Lewis Wolpert I ask: Does the genome provide a description of the organism? "What are the genes for leg formation in tetrapods, and how do they make a leg? Or, what are the genes for gastrulation".
I believe the development of form and pattern can be viewed in their own right, as a new interdisciplinary field. Moreover, the rules and principles for the expression of genetic information in terms of pattern and form must be general, universal, elegant and simple.
Morphogenesis becomes widely known idea. However, Biologist's conception of Morphogenesis differs from Physicist' one.
Classical point of view of "Mechanics of Development" emphasizes that Regulations, Scaling, and Equifinality are generally indefeasible features for biological morphogenesis.
So, if you are Biologist interested in computational approaches to Pattern Formation then welcome to Alife Morphogenesis Pages.
If you are Physicist or Computer Scientist interested in Biological Morphogenesis then visit Developmental Biology as well as Biological Morphogenesis Modeling Pages at this server.
Keywords: biological morphogenesis, Artificial Life morphogenesis, simulation and visualization of biological phenomena, reaction-diffusion, morphogenetic movements, pattern-form interaction, homeobox genes, segmentation genes, gene networks, gene regulatory regions, gene action, Sea urchin, Drosophila.
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