Developmental Biology

Scott F. Gilbert is Howard A. Schneiderman Professor of Biology at Swarthmore College, USA, where he teaches Developmental Biology, Developmental Genetics and the History of Biology.

'Gilbert is an excellent storyteller. He presents the gesalt of developmental biology as a whole, with its questions, history and future perspectives all beautifully interwoven with other scientific disciplines. In an elegant flowing, lucid, but never too casual style, he speaks directly to his reader, challenges him by asking questions, and invites him to become a fellow developmental biologist. This work is perfect for someone who is interested in developmental biology and wants to dig deep.' Lab Times 'The ninth edition of Scott F. Gilbert's book confirms its earlier established reputation as the most complete and qualified developmental biology textbook. It not only explains and beautifully illustrates information in practically all aspects of this science-both descriptive and experimental-it also contains sections that other textbooks commonly do not. This concerns the detailed chapter on developmental genetics and especially-what may be the main novelty of this edition-Chapter 4, devoted to systemic biology in its medicinal, ecological, and evolutionary aspects.' - L. V. Belousov, Russian Journal of Developmental Biology

• PART I: PRINCIPLES: INTRODUCING DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY Developmental Anatomy Developmental Genetics Cell-Cell Communication in Development PART II: SPECIFICATION: INTRODUCING EARLY EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT Fertilization Early Development in Selected Invertebrates The Genetics of Axis Specification in Drosophila Amphibians and Fish: Early Development and Axis Formation Birds and Mammals: Early Development and Axis Formation PART III: STEM CELLS: INTRODUCING ORGANOGENESIS The Emergence of the Ectoderm: CNS and Epidermis Neural Crest Cells and Axonal Specificity Paraxial and Intermediate Mesoderm Lateral Plate Mesoderm and the Endoderm Development of the Tetrapod Limb Sex Determination Postembryonic Development: Metamorphosis, Regeneration, and Aging The Saga of the Germ Line PART IV: SYSTEMS BIOLOGY: EXPANDING DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY TO MEDICINE, ECOLOGY, AND EVOLUTION Medical Aspects of Developmental Biology Developmental Plasticity and Symbiosis Developmental Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change (The chapter 'Plant Developmental Biology,' by Susan Singer, has been moved to the book's dedicated website, www.devbio.com)