The origins of the molecular era of adhesion research

Recognition of the importance of cell adhesion grew steadily during the twentieth century as it promised answers to fundamental questions in diverse fields that included cell biology, developmental biology, tumorigenesis, immunology and neurobiology. However, the route towards a better understanding of its molecular basis was long and difficult, with many false starts. Major progress was made in the late 1970s to late 1980s with the identification of the major families of adhesion molecules, including integrins and cadherins. This in turn set the stage for the explosive growth in adhesion research over the past 25 years.