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Assessing the exclusivity of delayed-feedback models for segmentation clock perturbations

Evaluate whether delayed negative-feedback models uniquely explain segmentation clock perturbation data or whether alternative mechanisms can account equally well; develop discriminating experimental and modeling strategies to test and distinguish among candidate models.

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Background

Delayed-feedback oscillators (e.g., Hes7 with transcriptional/processing delays) reproduce many features and some perturbation phenotypes. Yet the authors note that other models might fit the same data, raising concerns about model specificity.

Defining clear, testable distinctions among delayed-feedback and alternative models (e.g., positive-feedback or geometric-bifurcation frameworks) is necessary to establish the minimal mechanism consistent with experiments.

References

The modifications detailed in the previous section are consistent with delayed models, but it is not clear that other models might not explain experiments equally well.

— Waves, patterns and bifurcations: a tutorial review on the vertebrate segmentation clock (2403.00457 - François et al., 1 Mar 2024) in “Realistic” delayed models and experimental validations; Experiments: Delay or phase shift?