The need to better understand the molecular, b- chemical, and cellular processes by which a developing neuronal system unfolds has led to the development of a unique set of experimental tools and organisms. Special emphasis was devoted to allowing us access, at the ear- est stages, to the genomic basis underlying the system s ultimate complexity, as exhibited once its structures are fully formed. Yet, nerve cells are anatomically, physiolo- cally, and biochemically diverse. The multitude of d- tinctly different routes for their development thus makes the developing nervous system especially...

The need to better understand the molecular, b- chemical, and cellular processes by which a developing neuronal system unfolds has led to the development of a unique set of experimental tools and organisms. Special emphasis was devoted to allowing us access, at the ear- est stages, to the genomic basis underlying the system s ultimate complexity, as exhibited once its structures are fully formed. Yet, nerve cells are anatomically, physiolo- cally, and biochemically diverse. The multitude of d- tinctly different routes for their development thus makes the developing nervous system especially...