Chapter 6 Positional Information and Pattern Formation

Abstract

This chapter discusses that within the conceptual framework of positional information, a new and a simple way of looking at pattern formation may be obtained. In pressing the possibility of universality, the chapter deliberately takes an extreme stand, but at least it serves to counterbalance the special-substance inductive view of pattern formation. Also, in order to show its possible relevance to pattern formation and even cell movement, procrustean view of the data is taken. One of the virtues of the positional information mechanism of pattern formation is that, with the same system for positional information one can generate an enormous number of different patterns, by changing the cell's rules for interpretation. Since interpretation will be gene determined, there is little difficulty in seeing how this can be achieved. In fact, the concept of positional information makes excellent use of a central feature of development, that all the cells carry the same genetic information.