This book is concerned with basic molecular biology and how research in this field relates to our understanding of molecular and cellular aspects of cardiac development and growth. The authors point out that molecular biology has provided a wealth of new approaches for investigating cellular processes at the molecular level and is now making a significant contribution to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac development and providing insight into the molecular events underlying cardiac malformation and disease. This volume combines basic information on molecular biology with current thinking in cardiac development. It is the only book to specifically do this.