Centrosomes play an integral role in the growth of cells and the ultimate development of many animals, and sometimes plants. In addition to the normal growth of cells, centrosomes can also play a key role in the spread of cancer and are of increased interest to both the genetics and oncology communities. Volume 49 of Current Topics in Developmental Biology will present all known research surrounding the centrosome, across a variety of systems, will be well referenced, and speculate where the research is headed. – Discusses centrosomes and cancer, centrosomes and early development, and molecular biology of the centrosome- Heavily illustrated, with many color figures- Chapters written by international leaders in the field