This extensive review explores the current state and future directions of developmental biology, highlighting its evolution over the past 25 years into a comprehensive field spanning molecular to ecological scales. It discusses fundamental concepts like gene regulation, pattern formation, morphogenesis, organogenesis, and regeneration, emphasizing the intricate interplay of genetic, biochemical, and physical mechanisms. The text also examines how metabolism and developmental timing influence these processes, alongside the growing importance of ecological and evolutionary developmental biology and the unique aspects of human development. Throughout, the review underscores the transformative impact of new technologies, including genomics, imaging, genome editing, and artificial intelligence, in unraveling the complexities of biological development.
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