All the key principles of developmental biology that students need to know, with the molecular basis of developmental processes explained, and the facts underpinned by experimental evidence.

 

How does a single cell develop into myriad different specialized cell types? How do these different cell types become organized into tissues and organs, and ultimately form an unimaginably complex living organism such as a human? What are the medical implications of understanding these processes, and in particular the biology of stem cells? And how do the developmental changes that underlie evolution come about?

Principles of Development opens up the fascinating field of developmental biology to those wanting to understand the answers to questions such as these. The emphasis throughout is on the unifying principles of development—the underlying processes shared by diverse organisms. This focus on principles provides a framework on which a richer understanding of specific topics can be built. Moreover, extensive pedagogical support is provided, both in the book and online, to make this text the complete package for those studying developmental biology.

Lewis Wolpert is Emeritus Professor of Biology at University College London, UK.

 

Cheryll Tickle is Professor Emeritus at the University of Bath, UK.

 

Alfonso Martinez Arias is Professor of Developmental Mechanics at the University of Cambridge, UK.

1. History and basic concepts

2. Development of the Drosophila body plan

3. Vertebrate development I: Life cycles and experimental techniques

4. Vertebrate development II: Xenopus and zebrafish

5. Vertebrate development III: Chick and mouse-completing the body plan

6. Development of nematodes and sea urchins

7. Plant development

8. Cell differentiation and stem cells

9. Morphogenesis: change in form in the early embryo

10. Germ cells, fertilization, and sex

11. Organogenesis

12. Development of the nervous system

13. Growth, post-embryonic development and regeneration

14. Evolution and development