The annual meeting of the Perinatal Biochemical Group of the Spanish
Biochemical Society held in Madrid on December 15-16, 1989, provided an
excellent opportunity to bring together a group of distinguished
investigators both from Spain and from abroad with a common interest in
developmental endocrinology and biochemistry. The aim of the symposium
was to present and discuss the most recent developments in the areas of
endocrine and biochemical processes critical to normal growth and
maturation of the newborn. To achieve a high degree of interaction among
the participants, subject reviews as well as short communications were
include in the program. The reviews provided in-depth information on
selected important topics. The purpose of short communications was two
fold: (i) to provide a forum to discuss on-going investigations on
related areas; and (ii) to present opportunities for active
participation by young investigators. This format proved very successful
in generating fruitful discussions among the participants. Taken
together the review chapters and the short communications have resulted
in a coherent and unified subject presentation. Advances in
biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology have provided not only
new and exciting experimental approaches but also have opened up new
directions in the investigation of differentiation and developmental
processes at cellular, molecular and biochemical levels during the early
stages of growth and maturation. In recent years a wealth of information
in these areas of development has emerged at a rapid rate.