Molecular characterisation of centrosomal components is slowly progressing. Recent results indicate that the major aspects of centrosome-mediated microtubule nucleation may soon be understood at the molecular level. In contrast, centrosome reproduction, which is an important aspect of animal cell division, remains terra incognita. The most challenging issue for the future is to understand the molecular mechanisms which control centrosome biogenesis. There is a urgent need to identify with certainty proteins implicated in this process. Comparison between organisms with structurally different centrosomes might be critical for a better understanding of centrosome duplication if a general mechanism has been conserved throughout evolution.