The general aim of this one day symposium is to provide an overview of our current understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of pattern formation, a field which has advanced rapidly during the last five years. Pattern formation is here broadly defined to include maternal determination, induction of organ districts, and the differentiation of tissue patterns within these districts. The specific aims of the symposium are: (1) to bring together a group of investigators who use a broad spectrum of organisms and technologies in the investigation of pattern formation; (2) to determine what common and/or different cellular and molecular themes are emerging from their studies, and how these themes might relate to formal models of pattern formation that have been proposed; and (3) to discuss new ideas that indicate the most significant directions the field will likely take. An additional aim is to reach a broad audience consisting not only of investigators who work in the field, but also those in related fields, as well as postdoctoral and graduate students. %%% One of the fundamental questions in developmental biology is how the complex patterns of form found in living organisms arise. Recently molecular genetic and biochemical techniques have been brought to bear on this question in a variety of organisms. The purposes of this symposium are to asses the progress and suggest the directions of future research in this area.
