From Bill Chaudhry and Deb Henderrson

Mr Francis Wells, the internationally recognised cardiac surgeon from Papworth Hospital Cambridge, and our longstanding colleague Professor Bob Anderson, are in the late stages of producing a book for Springer Nature Publishers about the degenerating mitral valve. The work is aimed at clinicians and provides a broad discussion of the mitral valve from a scientific perspective. It is especially timely as the  developmental basis of many degenerative conditions, for example mitral valve prolapse, are increasingly recognised. We are honoured to be involved and have written a chapter explaining the developmental molecular genetics that control mitral valve development. Our chapter is specifically written for the clinician, outlining important aspects, but not burdening with scientific jargon. It is of relevance to topics of our research including hypoplastic left heart syndrome, atrioventricular septal defects and bicuspid aortic valve. Developmental anatomy and surgical aspects are provided by Bob and Francis in other chapters, and a host of international experts are adding their expertise in clinical genetics and physiology. We will post publication details in due course.