Figure 6. A formal model of the lung branching program.
(Top) Representation of branching modes as subroutines using different combinations of patterning and morphogenesis operations (boxed; see Fig. 2f). Subroutines are locally modified by input parameters P1–P4 that regulate variables indicated. P-D, proximal-distal. (Bottom) Three subroutine coupling schemes generate the three observed sequences of subroutine use (Fig. 3c). The schemes are related: bypass of step marked by asterisk in Sequence 2 generates Sequence 1, and repeat of domain branching step (dashed line) generates Sequence 3. DB, domain branching; PB, planar bifurcation; OB, orthogonal bifurcation.