The Dynamic Architecture of a Developing Organism

This book is the first comprehensive attempt to consider the development of organisms as a multi-level feedback-linked self-organizing process. Accordingly, the data related to morphogenetic cell activities and to the development of entire organisms are reconsidered and reformulated in terms of theories of symmetry and self-organization, which is described in non-specialist terms. An important role for biomechanical feedback is emphasized. Two opposing approaches to development are outlined, a `genocentric' one and a `morphocentric' one, and the possibility of their combination is discussed. Unlike other books recently published in biotheoretical and biomathematical fields, this book is centered around developmental problems. Audience: Students and researchers in biology, biomechanics and mathematical modelling.