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Glossary Feathers

complex keratin structures on birds aiding in flight and insulation

Feathers are complex, keratin-based structures that cover the bodies of birds, providing insulation, aiding in flight, and often playing roles in mating displays and camouflage. They consist of a central shaft (rachis) with barbs and barbules that interlock to form a flat surface, and they are periodically molted and replaced throughout a bird's life.

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Feather Arrays Are Patterned by Interacting Signaling and Cell Density Waves

research Feather arrays are patterned by interacting signalling and cell density waves

133 citations , February 2019 in “PLoS Biology”

This research found that feather pattern formation in birds is regulated by a mechanochemical system involving fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein signaling, which is altered in the flightless emu and ostrich.

The Chicken Frizzle Feather Is Due to an Alpha-Keratin (KRT75) Mutation That Causes a Defective Rachis

research The Chicken Frizzle Feather Is Due to an α-Keratin (KRT75) Mutation That Causes a Defective Rachis

99 citations , July 2012 in “PLoS Genetics”

This study identified a 69 bp deletion in the KRT75 gene as the cause of the frizzle feather trait in chickens, affecting feather curling.

research BMP2 and BMP7 play antagonistic roles in feather induction

88 citations , July 2008 in “Development”

This study shows that BMP2 and BMP7 play complex, necessary roles in feather development by regulating dermal condensation formation, with BMP7 acting early as a chemoattractant and BMP2 halting cell migration.

research The Modulatable Stem Cell Niche: Tissue Interactions during Hair and Feather Follicle Regeneration

66 citations , July 2015 in “Journal of Molecular Biology”

This review discusses how macro-environmental factors such as intradermal adipose tissue and sex hormones influence hair and feather stem cell niches, suggesting environmental targets for regenerative medicine, but reports no new clinical results.

research Sprouty/FGF signaling regulates the proximal–distal feather morphology and the size of dermal papillae

50 citations , September 2012 in “Developmental Biology”

This study found that over-expressing Spry4 and Fgf10 modulates feather stem cells to alter feather morphologies in distinct ways, affecting barb branch formation and tissue structure.

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community Compared to the hair of your father at your age how is your hair doing?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 29 upvotes 3 years ago

How people's hair is compared to their fathers' at the same age, with some users noting that they have inherited different genes from either parent and are using treatments such as finasteride for hair loss.

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