Nearly 10 years have elapsed since I finished writing the first edition of Intro duction to Molecular Embryology. During this period, molecular embryology has made great strides forward, but without undergoing a major revolution; there fore, the general philosophy and outline of the book have remained almost un changed. However, all the chapters had to be almost completely rewritten in or der to introduce new facts and to eliminate findings which have lost interest or have been disproved. There was a major gap in the first edition of this book: very little was said about mammalian eggs despite their obvious interest for mankind. Research on mammalian eggs and embryos is so active today that this important topic deserves a full chapter in a book concerned with molecular embryology. Therefore, I am very thankful to my colleague Dr. Henri Alexandre, who has written a chapter on mammalian embryology (Chap. 9) and has prepared all the illustrations for this book.

If you had a complete copy of a dinosaur's DNA and the genetic code, you still would not be able to make a dinosaur—or even determine what one looked like. Why? How do animals get their shape and how does shape evolve? In this important book, Nobel laureate Gerald M. Edelman challenges the notion that an understanding of the genetic code and of cell differentiation is sufficient to answer these questions. Rather, he argues, a trio of related issues must also be investigated—the development of form, the evolution of form, and the morphological and functional bases of behavior. Topobiology presents an introduction to molecular embryology and describes a comprehensive hypothesis to account for the evolution and development of animal form.

Molecular Embryology explains in simple terms the molecular interactions that transform an egg to a complex embryo that in the end gives rise to a fully-formed animal. In doing so, the book covers one hundred and fifty years of experiments that have led to our present understanding of these molecular interactions. As the text progresses, the reader will gain a sense of the developmental similarities and differences between organisms. Students studying developmental biology and embryology will find this book an extremely useful introduction to the subject and will also appeal to anyone with an interest in the most recent advances in this largely undiscovered territory.

Master the concepts you need to know with Human Embryology and Developmental Biology. Dr. Bruce M. Carlson's clear explanations provide an easy-to-follow "road map" through the most up-to-date scientific knowledge, giving you a deeper understanding of the key information you need to know for your courses, exams, and ultimately clinical practice. Visualize normal and abnormal development with hundreds of superb clinical photos and embryological drawings. Access the fully searchable text online, view animations, answer self-assessment questions, and much more at www.studentconsult.com. Grasp the molecular basis of embryology, including the processes of branching and folding - essential knowledge for determining the root of many abnormalities. Understand the clinical manifestations of developmental abnormalities with clinical vignettes and Clinical Correlations boxes throughout. Your purchase entitles you to access the web site until the next edition is published, or until the current edition is no longer offered for sale by Elsevier, whichever occurs first. If the next edition is published less than one year after your purchase, you will be entitled to online access for one year from your date of purchase. Elsevier reserves the right to offer a suitable replacement product (such as a downloadable or CD-ROM-based electronic version) should access to the web site be discontinued.

"A concise account of what we know about development discusses the first vital steps of growth and explores one of the liveliest areas of scientific research."--P. [2] of cover.