Development and evolution of the eye: Fondation des Treilles, September, 2001

In the idyllic setting of the Fondation des Treilles in the Provence region of Southern France, 15 scientists met to discuss their most recent experimentation examining mechanisms of eye development. The meeting was organized by Walter Gehring and Veronica van Heyningen and proved to be a watershed of complementary information. A huge range of interesting aspects of eye development and evolution were discussed at the meeting – to the extent that it would be impossible to summarize everything. For this reason, we have chosen to succinctly compile the major findings on the highlighted areas of vertebrate lens induction and Drosophila eye development.