Centrosomes and cilia are two cellular structures that are critical for many cell functions. Centrosomes are the major microtubule organising center in animal cycling cells, participating in cell division and polarity. Cilia are cellular protrusions involved in cellular signalling and movement. In common, both are made of centrioles, a small microtubule-based cylinder.

During centrosome assembly, the two centrioles of the centrosome associate with the pericentriolar matrix (PCM), which helps to nucleate and anchor microtubules. During cilia formation, one centriole, called basal-body, tethers to the membrane and grows the axoneme, a MT-based structure that makes the skeleton of the cilia.

For a recent review see: Nabais et al, 2018.