Wnt signaling is a highly conserved signaling pathway that plays a critical role in controlling
embryonic and organ development, as well as cancer progression. Genome-wide …

The ability of feathers to perform many functions either simultaneously or at different times
throughout the year or life of a bird is integral to the evolutionary history of birds. Many …

The colorful phenotypes of birds have long provided rich source material for evolutionary
biologists. Avian plumage, beaks, skin, and eggs—which exhibit a stunning range of cryptic …

Bone defects caused by bone trauma, infection, surgery, or other systemic diseases remain
a severe challenge for the medical field. To address this clinical problem, different hydrogels …

The cross-linking of structural proteins is critical for establishing the mechanical stability of
the epithelial compartments of the skin and skin appendages. The introduction of isopeptide …

The Crest mutation in chicken shows incomplete dominance and causes a spectacular
phenotype in which the small feathers normally present on the head are replaced by much …

How dermis maintains tissue homeostasis in cyclic growth and wounding is a fundamental
unsolved question. Here, we study how dermal components of feather follicles undergo …

The transition from natal downs for heat conservation to juvenile feathers for simple flight is a
remarkable environmental adaptation process in avian evolution. However, the underlying …

Iridescence is widespread in the living world, occurring in organisms as diverse as bacteria,
plants, and animals. Yet, compared to pigment-based forms of coloration, we know …

Integumentary organs exhibit diverse morphologies and functions. The complex mechanical
property of the architecture is mainly contributed by the ingenious multiscale assembly of …