---

Recent genetic studies of the spine has enhanced the understanding the genetic etiology of idiopathic, neuromuscular, and congenital forms of scoliosis. These findings are discussed in this timely review of scoliosis and developmental studies of the spine.

---

Developmental genetic studies of the spine and linkage and family-based association studies have led to recent advances in understanding the genetic etiology of idiopathic, neuromuscular, and congenital forms of scoliosis. The book is written by leaders in genetic and developmental research on scoliosis and developmental studies of the spine.

---

Genetic Regulation of Somite and Early Spinal Patterning.- Development and Functional Anatomy of the Spine.- Environmental Factors and Axial Skeletal Dysmorphogenesis.- Overview and Comparison of Idiopathic, Neuromuscular, and Congenital Forms of Scoliosis.- Abnormal Vertebral Segmentation (or Segmentation Defects of the Vertebrae) and the Spondylocostal Dysostoses.- Spondylothoracic Dysostosis in Puerto Rico.- Progress in Understanding Genetic Contributions in Syndromic and Non-Syndromic Disorders Associated with Congenital, Neuromuscular, and Idiopathic Scoliosis.- Genetics and Functional Pathology of Idiopathic Scoliosis.- Current Understanding of Genetic Factors in Idiopathic Scoliosis.- Conclusion: Trends and Predictions for Genetic and Developmental Biological Research on Scoliosis.

---

Kenro Kusumi, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University and is a founding faculty member at the new University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix in partnership with Arizona State University. Dr. Kusumi´s current research focuses on early spinal development, axial musculoskeletal regeneration, and their applications to genetic studies of scoliosis and other musculoskeletal disorders.

---