The transition between dormancy and germination is a critical stage in the life cycle of higher plants and is an important ecological and commercial trait. This review presents current knowledge of the molecular control of this trait in Arabidopsis thaliana, focusing on important components functioning during seed maturation, after-ripening, and imbibition. Dormancy during seed maturation is regulated by transcription factor networks with overlapping and discrete functions. After desiccation, after-ripening determines germination potential, and recent observations suggest that transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes occur in dry seeds. The single-cell endosperm layer surrounding the embryo plays a crucial role in maintaining dormancy, and transcriptomics approaches are beginning to uncover endosperm-specific genes and processes. Molecular genetic approaches have provided many new components of hormone signaling pathways, but also indicate the importance of hormone-independent pathways and natural variation in key regulatory loci. The influence of environmental signals, particularly light, following after-ripening, and the effect of moist chilling (stratification) are increasingly being understood at the molecular level. Combined postgenomics, physiology, and molecular genetics approaches are beginning to provide an unparalleled understanding of the molecular processes underlying dormancy and germination. Seed dormancy and germination are regulated by a complex network of molecular mechanisms involving hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA). ABA is a positive regulator of dormancy, while GA releases dormancy and promotes germination. Key genes involved in dormancy and germination include ABI3, FUS3, LEC1, and LEC2, which are involved in the regulation of seed maturation and dormancy. These genes interact in a network to control various aspects of seed maturation, and their expression is regulated by multiple factors, including hormones and environmental signals. The endosperm plays a crucial role in regulating germination potential, and its structure and function are influenced by various factors, including hormones and environmental conditions. The role of ABA in germination is complex, with ABA signaling pathways playing a key role in the regulation of dormancy and germination. Recent studies have shown that ABA is involved in the regulation of gene expression and protein synthesis during germination, and that the catabolism of ABA is important in regulating germination potential. The molecular mechanisms underlying dormancy and germination are still being studied, and further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between hormones, genes, and environmental factors that regulate these processes.The transition between dormancy and germination is a critical stage in the life cycle of higher plants and is an important ecological and commercial trait. This review presents current knowledge of the molecular control of this trait in Arabidopsis thaliana, focusing on important components functioning during seed maturation, after-ripening, and imbibition. Dormancy during seed maturation is regulated by transcription factor networks with overlapping and discrete functions. After desiccation, after-ripening determines germination potential, and recent observations suggest that transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes occur in dry seeds. The single-cell endosperm layer surrounding the embryo plays a crucial role in maintaining dormancy, and transcriptomics approaches are beginning to uncover endosperm-specific genes and processes. Molecular genetic approaches have provided many new components of hormone signaling pathways, but also indicate the importance of hormone-independent pathways and natural variation in key regulatory loci. The influence of environmental signals, particularly light, following after-ripening, and the effect of moist chilling (stratification) are increasingly being understood at the molecular level. Combined postgenomics, physiology, and molecular genetics approaches are beginning to provide an unparalleled understanding of the molecular processes underlying dormancy and germination. Seed dormancy and germination are regulated by a complex network of molecular mechanisms involving hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA). ABA is a positive regulator of dormancy, while GA releases dormancy and promotes germination. Key genes involved in dormancy and germination include ABI3, FUS3, LEC1, and LEC2, which are involved in the regulation of seed maturation and dormancy. These genes interact in a network to control various aspects of seed maturation, and their expression is regulated by multiple factors, including hormones and environmental signals. The endosperm plays a crucial role in regulating germination potential, and its structure and function are influenced by various factors, including hormones and environmental conditions. The role of ABA in germination is complex, with ABA signaling pathways playing a key role in the regulation of dormancy and germination. Recent studies have shown that ABA is involved in the regulation of gene expression and protein synthesis during germination, and that the catabolism of ABA is important in regulating germination potential. The molecular mechanisms underlying dormancy and germination are still being studied, and further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between hormones, genes, and environmental factors that regulate these processes.