Discovered over a century ago, the centrosome is the major microtubule organizing center of the animal cell. It is a tiny organelle of surprising structural complexity. Over the last few years our understanding of the structure and composition of centrosomes has greatly advanced, and the demonstration of frequent centrosome anomalies in most common human tumors has sparked additional interest in the role of this organelle in a broader scientific community. The centrosome controls the number and distribution of microtubules - a major element of the cell cytoskeleton - and hence influences many important cellular functions and properties. These include cell shape, polarity, and motility, as well as the intracellular transport and positioning of various organelles. Of particular interest, centrosome function is critical for chromosome segregation and cell division. This book is meant to summarize our current knowledge of the structure, function and evolution of microtubule organizing centers, primarily centrosomes. Emphasis is on the role of these organelles in development and disease (particularly cancer).

Author Biography

Erich Nigg obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. After postdoctoral training in California, he directed research groups at the ETH and the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, before being appointed Full Professor at the University of Geneva. In 1997, he became Director and Scientific Member of the Max-Planck Society, and has been head of the Cell Biology Department at the Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried/Munich since October 1999. Professor Nigg's research interests are centered on cell cycle control, with a current focus on the regulation of the centrosome cycle, cell division, and the problem of chromosomal instability in cancer.