You'd be really interested in Michael Levin's work (et al) on morphology and bioelectricity [0]. Cells are problem solvers. His lab has shown functioning eyes

You'd be really interested in Michael Levin's work (et al) on morphology and bioelectricity [0]. Cells are problem solvers. His lab has shown functioning eyes on the backs of tadpoles, allowed frog leg regeneration where none existed, and performed several other modifications that change the communication between cells to trigger desired growth. Surprisingly, the interventions are point modifications, then the system handles the rest of the process. Cell-to-cell communication has a lot of explanatory power for a cell (or collection of cells) "knowing what/where to be". [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzFFeRVEdUM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzFFeRVEdUM