One of the most significant discoveries in Developmental Biology from an Indian laboratory - Iqbal A. Niazi and the role of retinoids in limb regeneration

Abstract

In this short commentary, we reflect upon the fascinating paper by I.A. Niazi entitled “Background to work on retinoids and amphibian limb regeneration: Studies on anuran tadpoles — a retrospect.” originally published in J. Biosciences (1996), and herein reproduced with the kind permission of the author and the Journal of Biosciences. It is fitting that this landmark publication is included in this India-related Special Issue of the Int. J. Dev. Biol., because it sketches the background to what is arguably one of the two most significant discoveries in Developmental Biology to come from an Indian laboratory. Besides being of intrinsic interest, it spawned an entire area of research, one that deals with the role of retinoids in morphogenesis and development generally.