TGFbeta signaling at the summit

Ligands belonging to the transforming growth factor (TGF) beta superfamily have emerged as major regulators of a wide variety of developmental events, ranging from the earliest steps in germ layer patterning of the pre-gastrula embryo to tissue healing, regeneration and homeostasis in the adult. Recently, Caroline Hill and Bob Lechleider organized the third in a bi-annual series of FASEB meetings on TGFbeta signaling and development at Snowmass (CO, USA). This meeting highlighted the ongoing interplay between advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of TGFbeta family signaling and in investigations into its roles in specific developmental events.