Signal transduction pathways, intrinsic regulators, and the control of cell fate choice

► GATA:FOG interactions with JAK/STAT, BMP and Hedgehog pathways are discussed. ► These interactions control cell fate choice during Drosophila hematopoiesis. ► Emerging principles regarding regulation of stem cell function are discussed. ► Regulatory links between organism status and stem-like cell response are described.