Bicoid mRNA diffusion as a mechanism of morphogenesis in Drosophila early development

We show that mRNA diffusion is the main morphogenesis mechanism that consistently explains the establishment of Bicoid protein gradients in the embryo of Drosophila, contradicting the current view of protein diffusion. Moreover, we show that if diffusion for both bicoid mRNA and Bicoid protein were assumed, a steady distribution of Bicoid protein with a constant concentration along the embryo would result, contradicting observations.