Encoding and decoding of positional information in morphogen-dependent patterning

Patterning during organogenesis is fundamentally realized through the interpretation of morphogen gradients by particular types of gene regulatory networks (GRNs). However, as quantitative studies have reported, spatial profiles of morphogen gradients include intra-embryo and inter-embryo variability, which could lead to errors in spatial recognition by cells and variations in patterning. By mathematically modeling the processes of generation and readout of spatial information – information encoding and decoding, by an analogy to computer communication – and maximizing the reproducibility of patterning against noise, the general designs of gradient profiles and their interpretation have been clarified. Furthermore, over the past few years, basic studies on patterning in more dynamic situations, that is, patterning in growing tissues with time-variant gradients, have been initiated. Here we provide an overview of patterning studies, pattern generating GRNs, concepts of information coding design for robust patterning, and patterning in growing tissues.