Spectacular Developments

In this issue, as our cover shows, neuroscience rules. The image depicts the differentiation of neural stem cells, after exposure to agents that include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), into neurons (green) and astrocytes (red); nuclei are counterstained blue. The gene that encodes BDNF contains a neuron-restrictive silencer element that, as discussed on pages 219-228, is pivotal to neuronal development. [From Uchida et al., PNAS 97: 14720-5. Copyright (2000) National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A.]