Introduction 
when it should move, and what shape it should take 
up, are all affected by cell adhesion events. And 
these, in turn, are largely dependent on the pattern 
and functions of cell adhesion receptors deployed 
on the surfaces of the cells. 
Eluf idating the normal functions of cells is an 
important first step in understanding how these 
processes go awry in a number of human diseases. 
For example, it is now known that alterations in 
certain normal genes (called oncogenes) can 
contribute to cancer. It is also clear that many 
oncogenes encode proteins that are involved in 
the regulation of specific cellular functions: 
some oncogene-encoded proteins are growth fac- 
tors; others are cell surface receptors; yet others 
are signaling molecules, protein kinases, and 
transcription factors. Many other human diseases 
are known to be due to defects of one or another 
of the cellular processes reviewed above. Thus 
disturbances in insulin production lead to dia- 
betes mellitus, defects in the extracellular matrix 
can cause osteogenesis imperfecta, and abnormal- 
ities in cell adhesion receptors may result in 
various bleeding disorders. Indeed, one of the 
major insights in pathology and medicine is that 
all disease processes are ultimately attributable 
to the breakdown of one or more cellular func- 
tions. In the twenty-first century, we can be fairly 
certain that medicine will be concerned largely 
with the identification and treatment of specific 
disordered cell functions. We already know of 
many disorders that can be attributed to distur- 
bances in particular organelles. What is particu- 
larly encouraging to researchers in cell biology 
today is that new avenues are beginning to be 
perceived for therapy, as the molecular bases of 
various disordered functions become known. In- 
deed, one of the especially appealing aspects of 
modern cell biological research is the immediacy 
with which fundamental research advances are 
having an impact on medically important 
problems. 
Investigators in the Cell Biology and Regulation Program 
Alexander- Bridges, Maria C, M.D., Ph.D. 
Beach, David H., Ph.D. 
Bennett, G. Vann, M.D., Ph.D. 
Beutler, Bruce A., M.D. 
Blackshear, Perry J., M.D., D.Phil. 
Blobel, Gtinter, M.D., Ph.D. 
Bonadio, Jeffrey P., M.D. 
Brugge, Joan S., Ph.D. 
Campbell, Kevin P., Ph.D. 
Carroll, Sean B., Ph.D. 
Chin, William W., M.D. 
Crabtree, Gerald R., M.D. 
Cunningham, James M., M.D. 
Davis, Roger J., M.D. 
Drey fuss, Gideon, Ph.D. 
Ellis, Leland, Ph.D. 
Esmon, Charles T., Ph.D. 
Exton,John H., M.D., Ph.D. 
Fuchs, Elaine V., Ph.D. 
Ganem, Donald E., M.D.' 
Garbers, David L., Ph.D. 
Gething, Mary-Jane H., Ph.D. 
Glomset, John A., M.D. 
Gomer, Richard H., Ph.D. 
Habener, Joel F., M.D. 
Heintz, Nathaniel, Ph.D. 
Hynes, Richard O., Ph.D. 
Isberg, Ralph R., Ph.D. 
Kaback, H. Ronald, M.D. 
Kim, Peter S., Ph.D. 
Kirkegaard, Karla A., Ph.D. 
Kobilka, Brian K., M.D. 
Lai, Michael M.-C, M.D., Ph.D. 
Lamb, Robert A., Ph.D. 
Larsen, P. Reed, M.D. 
Lefkowitz, Robert J., M.D. 
Lehmann, Ruth, Ph.D. 
Maas, Richard L., M.D., Ph.D. 
Mailer, James L., Ph.D. 
Massague, Joan, Ph.D. 
McKnight, Steven Lanier, Ph.D. 
Nusse, Roeland, Ph.D. 
O'Donnell, Michael E., Ph.D. 
Parker, Keith L., M.D., Ph.D. 
Pike, Linda J., Ph.D. 
Sadler, J. Evan, M.D., Ph.D. 
Schekman, Randy W., Ph.D. 
Schoolnik, Gary K., M.D. 
Shenk, Thomas E., Ph.D. 
Sherr, Charles J., M.D., Ph.D. 
Spradling, Allan C, Ph.D. 
Steiner, Donald F., M.D. 
Watterson, D. Martin, Ph.D. 
Welsh, Michael J, M.D. 
Williams, Lewis T., M.D., Ph.D. 
Wilson, James M., M.D., Ph.D. 
Wolin, Sandra L., M.D., Ph.D. 
This investigator was appointed after manu- 
scripts were submitted for 1991. His research 
will be described in the next volume. 
