The first edition of Embryos, Genes and Birth Defects, edited by the late Peter Thorogood, was a radical new book aimed at bridging the gap between the medical disciplines of embryology and dysmorphology, and recent advances in cellular, molecular and developmental biology. This new edition remains unique in its breadth and brings up to date our understanding of birth defects and of the strategies utilized to gain such knowledge. It features new chapters on human cytogenetics, mutagenesis and the eyes and ears. 

The book presents key topics in developmental biology and explains how they provide the foundations for understanding clinical birth defects. The first six chapters introduce concepts and strategies adopted to elucidate developmental anomalies leading to birth defects. The book then focuses on specific organs and reviews the cellular and molecular mechanisms affecting their development and how disruption of these mechanisms by genetic or environmental factors may underlie certain birth defects. The chapters are concise and provide up-to-date coverage of topics in a format that is easily accessible and yet at the forefront of research.

Written primarily for paediatricians, obstetricians, clinical geneticists and allied workers, this book guides the reader through the contribution of modern molecular biology to our understanding of human development. Developmental and cellular biologists will learn how errors in the cellular and genetic mechanism can lead to classical disorders, diseases and syndromes.

Dr. Patrizia Ferretti. Developmental Biology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London.

Prof. Andrew Copp (Dean of Institute). Neural Development Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London.

Prof. Cheryll Tickle. Professor of Anatomy & Physiology, The Wellcome Trust Building, University of Dundee.

Prof. Gudrun Moore. Institute of Child Health, University College London.

The editors are all distinguished developmental biologists with a broad range of expertise in human birth defects. Andrew Copp holds an endowed chair in Developmental Neurobiology at University College London and is Dean of the world-renowned Institute of Child Health.