Moving toward understanding eukaryotic chemotaxis

The discovery in 1947 of directed cell movement in Dictyostelium discoideum quietly gave a birth to a new line of investigation into the molecular basis of chemotaxis. Some 60 years later, D. discoideum continues to be a key model system for the study of eukaryotic chemotaxis as well as an array of other important biological processes. As one of the most influential scientists, Guenther Gerisch has inspired several generations of researchers with his insightful and rigorous approaches applied to this model system. His studies have greatly contributed to current knowledge of many fundamental processes, such as cell–cell adhesion, phagocytosis, endocytosis, cytokinesis, cell signaling and chemotaxis. In this review, we wish to look back at the journey that has led to our current understanding of chemotaxis of eukaryotic cells.