Ocular lens development represents an advantageous system in which to study regulatory mechanisms governing cell fate decisions, extracellular signaling, cell and tissue organization, and the underlying gene regulatory networks. Spatiotemporally regulated domains of BMP, FGF, and other signaling molecules in late gastrula–early neurula stage embryos generate the border region between the neural plate and non-neural ectoderm from which multiple cell types, including lens progenitor cells, emerge and undergo initial tissue formation. Extracellular signaling and DNA-binding transcription factors govern lens and optic cup morphogenesis. Pax6, c-Maf, Hsf4, Prox1, Sox1, and a few additional factors regulate the expression of the lens structural proteins, the crystallins. Extensive crosstalk between a diverse array of signaling pathways controls the complexity and order of lens morphogenetic processes and lens transparency.

人工晶状体的发展代表了一个有利的系统，在该系统中可以研究调控细胞命运决定，细胞外信号传导，细胞和组织组织以及潜在的基因调控网络的调控机制。时空调节的BMP，FGF和其他信号分子在下腹-早期神经胚期胚胎中的形成域在神经板和非神经外胚层之间产生边界区域，从该边界区域出现多种细胞类型，包括晶状体祖细胞，并进行初始组织形成。细胞外信号和DNA结合转录因子控制晶状体和视杯的形态发生。Pax6，c-Maf，Hsf4，Prox1，Sox1和一些其他因素调节晶状体结构蛋白，即晶状体蛋白的表达。