Whole-genome sequence assemblies are now available for seven different animals,
including nematode worms, mice and humans. Comparative genome analyses reveal a …

It has been more than 30 years since the publication of the new head hypothesis, which
proposed that the vertebrate head is an evolutionary novelty resulting from the emergence of …

The first chordates appear in the fossil record at the time of the Cambrian explosion, nearly
550 million years ago. The modern ascidian tadpole represents a plausible approximation to …

Evolution is of interest not only to developmental biology but also to genetics and genomics.
We are witnessing a new era in which evolution, development, genetics and genomics are …

Sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) are important to genetic regulation in all
organisms because they recognize and directly bind to regulatory regions on DNA. Here, we …

The tadpole larvae of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis possess the most simplified chordate
body plan. Analysis of the Ciona draft genome indicates that the∼ 153–159Mb genome …

Dlx homeobox genes of vertebrates are generally arranged as three bigene clusters on
distinct chromosomes. The Dlx1/Dlx2, Dlx5/Dlx6, and Dlx3/Dlx7 clusters likely originate from …

Enhancers or cis-regulatory modules play an instructive role in regulating gene expression
during animal development and in response to the environment. Despite their importance …

The vertebrate peripheral nervous system (PNS) originates from neural crest and placodes.
While its developmental origin is the object of intense studies, little is known concerning its …

Thalidomide has a dark history as a teratogen, but in recent years, its derivates have been
shown to function as potent chemotherapeutic agents. These drugs bind cereblon (CRBN) …