Fig. 4: Reactivated embryonic programs as disease-specific targets.

a–c, Different embryonic genetic programs are active during different stages of development. d–g, Tissue damage in the adult leads to loss of homeostatic programs and activates regenerative programs, which, depending on the extent of the damage being acute or chronic, can include activation of late, intermediate or early embryonic programs, respectively. Identifying common programs in development and disease will provide new specific targets. Studying these targets in development can reveal their importance. In the disease context, these reactivated embryonic program components can serve as specific drug targets for therapy. IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.