Reaction-Diffusion Model as a Framework for Understanding Biological Pattern Formation
Abstract
Turing Model Explained: The reaction-diffusion (Turing) model is a theoretical model used to explain self-regulated pattern formation in biology. Although many biologists have heard of this model, a better understanding of the concept would aid its application to many research projects and developmental principles. Kondo and Miura (p. 1616 ) now review the reaction-diffusion model. Despite the associated mathematics, the basic idea of the Turing model is relatively easy to understand and relates to morphogen gradients. In addition, user-friendly software makes it easy to understand how a whole variety of patterns can be produced by this simple mechanism.
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Zebrafish stripe pattern formation has features resembling a Turing process.
“with features of pattern formation resembling a Turing process (5)”
From Agouti and BMP signaling drive a naturally occurring fate conversion of melanophores to leucophores in zebrafish (2025) · cites this paper as [5]
The mechanisms documented here further highlight the role of positional information in generating a pigmentary phenotype, even in a species that provides a premier example of self-organization by pigment cells during body stripe formation.
“The mechanisms documented here further highlight the role of positional information in generating a pigmentary phenotype, even in a species that provides a premier example of self-organization by pigment cells during body stripe formation (4, 5).”
From Agouti and BMP signaling drive a naturally occurring fate conversion of melanophores to leucophores in zebrafish (2025) · cites this paper as [5]
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- Authors
- Kondo, S., & Miura, T.
- Affiliations
- The University of Osaka (JP)
- Kyoto University (JP)
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2010-09-24
- Volume
- 329
- Issue
- 5999
- Pages
- 1616-1620
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2037486322
- Cited by
- 1,651
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 131 · 2025: 133 · 2024: 119 · 2023: 115 · 2022: 124 · 2021: 133 · 2020: 126 · 2019: 124 · 2018: 110 · 2017: 111 · 2016: 83 · 2015: 92 · 2014: 67 · 2013: 73 · 2012: 67
- FWCI
- 15.82
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Networks and Communications › Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Modeling and Simulation › Mathematical Biology Tumor Growth
- Keywords
- reaction-diffusion systems, Turing instability, biological pattern formation, morphogenesis, spatial patterns, morphogen gradients
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Computer Simulation, Diffusion, Ligands, Models, Biological, Models, Theoretical, Morphogenesis, Pigmentation, Body Patterning, Feedback, Physiological, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Embryonic Development, Mathematical Concepts
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