Identification and cell lineage of individual neural precursors in the Drosophila CNS

The Drosophila CNS is complex enough to serve as a model for many of the molecular, cellular and developmental functions of the vertebrate CNS, yet simple enough for single-cell analysis. Recent advances have provided molecular markers that allow most Drosophila CNS precursors to be uniquely identified, as well as methods for determining the complete cell lineage of each precursor. A detailed understanding of wild-type neurogenesis, combined with existing molecular genetic techniques, should provide insight into the fundamental mechanisms that generate neuronal and glial diversity.