Ectodysplasin research--where to next?

•Ectodysplasin (Eda) is the key TNF family ligand involved in ectodermal development.•Mutations in the Eda pathway genes cause hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.•Eda and Edar may be hot-spot genes for morphological evolution of skin appendages.•Molecular targets and cellular mechanisms regulated by Eda are being identified.•Recombinant EDA protein may provide a cure to hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.