How do dendrites take their shape?

Recent technical advances have made possible the visualization and genetic manipulation of individual dendritic trees. These studies have led to the i dentification and characterization of molecules that are important for diff erent aspects of dendritic development. Although much remains to be learned , the existing knowledge has allowed us to take initial steps toward a comp rehensive understanding of how complex dendritic trees are built. In this r eview, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the molecular me chanisms underlying dendritic morphogenesis, and discuss their cell-biologi cal implications.