Transcriptional precision and accuracy in development: from measurements to models and mechanisms

During development, genes are transcribed at specific times, locations and levels. In recent years, the emergence of quantitative tools has significantly advanced our ability to measure transcription with high spatiotemporal resolution in vivo. Here, we highlight recent studies that have used these tools to characterize transcription during development, and discuss the mechanisms that contribute to the precision and accuracy of the timing, location and level of transcription. We attempt to disentangle the discrepancies in how physicists and biologists use the term ‘precision' to facilitate interactions using a common language. We also highlight selected examples in which the coupling of mathematical modeling with experimental approaches has provided important mechanistic insights, and call for a more expansive use of mathematical modeling to exploit the wealth of quantitative data and advance our understanding of animal transcription.