溯经典之源，探交叉之本。与我们共赴物理生物学经典读书会（Physical Biology Journal Club），回到伟大思想诞生的现场！
Topic: Turing Patterns in Biology - Part Ⅱ
Speaker: Qianqian Zhou (周芊芊), PhD student, Westlake University
Time: 11:30-13:00, Friday, May 29, 2026
Venue: E14-326, Research Center, Westlake University
Reference:
[1] Kondo, Shigeru, and Rihito Asai. "A Reaction–Diffusion Wave on the Skin of the Marine Angelfish Pomacanthus." Nature, vol. 376, no. 6543, 1995, pp.765–68.
[2] Sheth, R., et al. "Hox Genes Regulate Digit Patterning by Controlling the Wavelength of a Turing-Type Mechanism." Science, vol. 338, no. 6113, 2012, pp.1476–80.
[3] Raspopovic, J., et al. "Digit Patterning Is Controlled by a Bmp-Sox9-Wnt Turing Network Modulated by Morphogen Gradients." Science, vol. 345, no. 6196, 2014, pp.566–70.
[4] Castets, V., et al. "Experimental Evidence of a Sustained Standing Turing-Type Nonequilibrium Chemical Pattern." Physical Review Letters, vol. 64, no. 24, 1990, pp.2953–56.
Key Words: Reaction–diffusion, Turing patterns, Self-organization, Morphogenesis
Abstract: Turing's reaction–diffusion theory proposed a striking idea: diffusion does not always eliminate spatial differences; under appropriate reaction kinetics, it can destabilize a homogeneous state and spontaneously generate ordered spatial patterns. In his original formulation, Turing introduced abstract variables known as "morphogens" to explain how biological forms might arise from chemical interactions. However, for several decades after its publication, the theory received limited attention in biology because the proposed morphogens lacked clear molecular identities and direct experimental evidence was unavailable. The experimental observation of Turing patterns in an open gel reactor provided crucial wet-lab evidence that periodic spatial structures can emerge in a real nonequilibrium chemical reaction–diffusion system. Later, the dynamic insertion of new stripes during the growth of marine angelfish offered strong morphological and kinetic support for the relevance of Turing-type mechanisms in biological pattern formation. More recent studies on limb development further suggest that reaction–diffusion mechanisms may not be restricted to superficial skin patterns, but may also contribute to the periodic organization of complex anatomical structures such as digits. This presentation reviews the key experimental evidence linking Turing's mathematical theory to chemical and biological pattern formation, and discusses how reaction–diffusion mechanisms help us understand self-organization and morphogenesis in living systems.
读书会简介：物理生物学读书会由西湖大学交叉科学中心（CIS）师生共同发起，每周四在轻松自由的氛围中，深入研读物理生物学领域的经典文献，通过追本溯源，激发思想碰撞，促进跨学科交流与合作。
发起人：钱紘，徐小婵
主讲人：以博士后和博士生为核心，全员开放！我们热忱欢迎每一位希望分享的主讲人。
参与成员：欢迎全校所有对物理生物学等交叉领域有浓厚兴趣的师生加入。
地点：科研中心 E14-326 会议室
形式：读书会每周聚焦物理生物学领域的一篇经典论文或书籍章节，通过主讲人领读与集体讨论，理解相关领域的核心概念、理论与模型，系统梳理该领域的基础知识、核心问题与研究范式。
Overview: The Physical Biology Journal Club is a weekly Friday lunchtime event hosted by the faculty and students of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS). Our goal is to help everyone learn about how key concepts and groundbreaking discoveries have shaped and inspired the entire research fields. Through lively, in-depth discussion of classic physical biology papers and books, we explore the history, foundational principles, research methodologies, and the remarkable stories of the scientists behind them. Join us to connect with the roots of physical biology and spark ideas in a welcoming environment.
Organizers: Hong Qian, Xiaochan Xu
Speaker: Led by postdocs & PhDs, and everyone can be a host!
Audience: All with a strong interest in physical biology are warmly welcomed.
Venue: E14-326, Research Center, Westlake University
Contact Information
Ms. Jin Liang (梁金), liangjin@westlake.edu.cn, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS)
Ms. Shujie Du (杜舒节), dushujie@westlake.edu.cn, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS)
