Molecular Embryology and the Study of Lung Development

The purpose of the Minisymposium on Molecular Embryology and the Study of Lung Development was to identify promising approaches to understanding the molecular basis oflung morphogenesis in the embryo. The rationale for holding such a meeting was that by studying the molecular basis of lung morphogenesis, a great deal of fundamental information will be obtained about the molecular and genetic programs that influence processes not only oflung morphogenesis and maturation but also lung injury, lung repair, and lung carcinogenesis. The overall consensus of the Society for Developmental Biology meeting at which this Minisymposium was held was that "much is known about cells, but little is known about organ formation."