The cadherin superfamily of cell-cell adhesion molecules plays a fundamental role in the development and organization of nearly all forms of multicellular life. The RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (CDB) is pleased to present this series of striking animations detailing the molecular structure of the classic cadherins, and their function in cellular adhesion and recognition and tissue patterning. The animation and Flash interface were specially created for the CDB by Arkitek Studios.

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These animations provide a conceptual tour of cadherin molecules in epithelial cells and the neural network, based on the best current understanding of cadherin structure and function. While every effort has been made to create as realistic a representation of cellular and molecular mechanisms as possible, future advances in research and visualization technology may significantly alter the way we understand the world at these microscopic scales. Users are encouraged to view the animations as illustrations of concepts and processes, rather than photorealistic representations of molecular-level detail.