Thoughts on progress in the centrosome field

Centrioles and centrosomes have been at the center of attention of Cell Biologists since the very beginning of the field. The approaches to the conduct of science by early investigators shaped not only the foundation of our understanding of centrosome biology, but also continue to impact its direction. What sets centrioles and centrosomes apart from membrane-bound organelles are their fascinating structure, and the intrinsic counting mechanism they employ to duplicate once in each cell cycle. The details of centriole and centrosome biogenesis, and the role that they play in ciliogenesis, cell polarity, and as a platform for cell signaling pathways ensure their central place in future investigations.