This work also builds on my previous research, where I aim to understand the role of plasticity in evolution and how factors such as plasticity, noise, and robustness contribute to biological diversity and developmental decisions (7).

I hope this piece adds value to our understanding of plasticity, regeneration, non-bilaterians, evolution & development (6)

I would like to thank Aissam for writing this piece together. I also want to acknowledge William, the intern with whom I work closely; his contributions allowed us to advance the practical aspects of our research in parallel with our conceptual developments (5)

We propose using modularity as a framework to dissect these lifelong developmental processes. This approach encourages a conceptual shift from viewing development as a terminal process to seeing it as dynamic navigation through stable, yet responsive, organismal states (4)

Our manuscript suggests that lifelong developmental processes, such as whole-body regeneration, asexual reproduction, morphological plasticity, and reverse development, can be understood collectively through the lens of phenotypic plasticity (3).

While many animals retain the ability to transform their form and function throughout their lives, known as lifelong development, developmental biology has primarily focused on early life stages(2).