Pattern Formation in Zebrafish

The genetic screens for mutations affecting embryonic development of a fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, carried out by Christiane Niisslein-Volhard, Eric Wieschaus and Edward Lewis, marked the turning point in experimental approaches to embryonic development of more complex organisms.

Vertebrate embryos develop from a single cell via a complex succession of cell divisions, movements and inductive interactions. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, emerged in recent years as an excellent system in which to study genetic underpinnings of normal human development and its pathologies. Large-scale genetic screens identified thousands of mutant variants that allow in vivo dissection of developmental processes at single cell and molecular resolution.
This book provides the first comprehensive overview of zebrafish embryogenesis: formation and patterning of germ layers, gastrulation movements, and aspects of organogenesis, including formation of somites, cardiovascular system, pronephros and eyes.