Nieuwkoop center

The Nieuwkoop center is a group of early embryonic cells in a developing frog embryo that act as a signaling hub. It sends chemical signals to neighboring cells, instructing them to develop into future dorsal structures like the notochord and neural tissue (which becomes the brain and spinal cord). Essentially, it helps organize the embryo’s body plan by coordinating the development of the dorsal side, playing a key role in establishing the body’s proper orientation and structure during early development.