Preface
VII
Genetic approaches have been very successful in identifying proteins functionally implicated in a specific process, through the isolation
and characterization of mutations causing certain phenotypes. The general strategy is not so much to define the function of a given gene, but
rather, in the absence of any information on the molecules and signaling pathways involved in a particular aspect of development, to identify multiple genes, known or novel, by virtue of a common phenotype.
The concept that a single signaling pathway usually plays several roles
in both development and adult physiology is supported by a number of
studies, in which pathways initially implicated in development, when
deregulated, were also found to contribute to the pathogenesis of, for
example, colon carcinoma, medulloblastoma, and basal cell carcinoma
of the skin. Therefore, developmental biology teaches us not only
about mechanisms of ontogenesis but also about the components of,
and their functional interplay in, signaling pathways involved in a wide
range of intra- and inter-cellular processes.
The primary intent of the Ernst Schering Research Foundation
Workshop 29, held in Berlin on January 27-29, 1999, was to review
the concepts, methods, and exemplary achievements of genetic research on selected model organisms from the perspective of biomedical research. Examples are provided in the contributions on research in
nematodes such as C. elegans, concerning programmed cell death and
neurodegenerative diseases. Signaling pathways are generally highly
conserved between organisms, and several studies were reviewed for
Drosophila, Xenopus, and rodents. As a comparatively novel model organism, the zebrafish was presented in its role of helping to understand
cardiovascular functions in surprising detail. Seeing the enthusiasm,
talent, and impressive achievements displayed throughout the presentations was an enlightening experience. However, there was also a note
of sadness, as one of the speakers originally scheduled to present his
work in zebrafish, Dr. Nigel Holder, had died only weeks before the
workshop, on December 11, 1998. His manuscript appears in this
book, along with a tribute by Dr. Stephen Wilson of the University
College London.
Christiane Nusslein- Volhard
Jorn Kriitzschmar
VII
Genetic approaches have been very successful in identifying proteins functionally implicated in a specific process, through the isolation
and characterization of mutations causing certain phenotypes. The general strategy is not so much to define the function of a given gene, but
rather, in the absence of any information on the molecules and signaling pathways involved in a particular aspect of development, to identify multiple genes, known or novel, by virtue of a common phenotype.
The concept that a single signaling pathway usually plays several roles
in both development and adult physiology is supported by a number of
studies, in which pathways initially implicated in development, when
deregulated, were also found to contribute to the pathogenesis of, for
example, colon carcinoma, medulloblastoma, and basal cell carcinoma
of the skin. Therefore, developmental biology teaches us not only
about mechanisms of ontogenesis but also about the components of,
and their functional interplay in, signaling pathways involved in a wide
range of intra- and inter-cellular processes.
The primary intent of the Ernst Schering Research Foundation
Workshop 29, held in Berlin on January 27-29, 1999, was to review
the concepts, methods, and exemplary achievements of genetic research on selected model organisms from the perspective of biomedical research. Examples are provided in the contributions on research in
nematodes such as C. elegans, concerning programmed cell death and
neurodegenerative diseases. Signaling pathways are generally highly
conserved between organisms, and several studies were reviewed for
Drosophila, Xenopus, and rodents. As a comparatively novel model organism, the zebrafish was presented in its role of helping to understand
cardiovascular functions in surprising detail. Seeing the enthusiasm,
talent, and impressive achievements displayed throughout the presentations was an enlightening experience. However, there was also a note
of sadness, as one of the speakers originally scheduled to present his
work in zebrafish, Dr. Nigel Holder, had died only weeks before the
workshop, on December 11, 1998. His manuscript appears in this
book, along with a tribute by Dr. Stephen Wilson of the University
College London.
Christiane Nusslein- Volhard
Jorn Kriitzschmar