Figure 1 – Deconstruction of developmental trajectory into cycles and molecular implementations.

The spiral represents the developmental trajectory unfolding over time through a series of cycles (Cycle 1, Cycle 2, etc.). Each cycle is driven by the underlying genetic program made of: 1) cell-cell signaling, 2) multicellular networks that generate patterns, 3) and changes in cells’ physical and/or biological properties by changing expression of one or more effector genes. The new signaling, biological, and physical status of the multicellular system defines the new starting conditions for a new cycle.