Germline Development

The germline - the cell lineage that forms the link between generations - is, potentially, immortal. This study makes a connection between classical cellular descriptive studies and more recent work on the molecular and genetic aspects of germline development in a range of organisms.

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Germline Development Chairwoman: Anne McLaren 1994 The germline is the cell lineage that forms the link between generations and is, potentially, immortal. In animals that reproduce sexually, the germ cells undergo sexual differentiation and genetic recombination. Despite its importance, the development of the germline is an area of biology that, until recently, had been relatively neglected because of the technical difficulties associated with working with very early embryos. However, over the last few years, improved cell culture techniques, the availability of specific markers for germ cells and the identification of genes involved in germ cell specification have enabled rapid progress to be made in our understanding of the processes involved. This book links classical, cellular descriptive studies with more recent work on the molecular and genetic aspects of germline development. Contributions from some of the leading scientists in this field describe studies on a range of organisms, including insects, worms, birds, fish, amphibia, mammals and green algae.
The topics covered include the specification of the germ cells, their migration to the gonads and subsequent interactions with the soma, and gametogenesis. Evolutionary aspects of germ cell segregation are also considered. Related Ciba Foundation Symposia: No. 144 Cellular basis of morphogenesis Chairman: Lewis Wolpert 1989 ISBN 0 471 92306 0 No. 165 Postimplantation development in the mouse Chairwoman: Anne McLaren 1992 ISBN 0 471 93384 8 No.181 Neural tube defects Chairwoman: Judith Hall 1994 ISBN 0 471 94172 7