Course Description
Cell differentiation and morphogenesis, primarily in animal development. Gene regulation at the molecular level, gametogenesis, fertilization, normal embryonic development, cell and tissue interactions, hormonal regulation, and developmental aspects of cancer and the immune response.
Athena Title
Developmental Biology
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in CBIO 3600E
Prerequisite
(BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H) and (GENE 3200-3200D or GENE 3200E or GENE 3200H)
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will be expected to master fundamental facts, understand their experimental underpinnings, and be able to demonstrate that knowledge by constructing and evaluating previously unvisited experiments. Specifically, students will: Learn how development occurs in embryos of several species of animals, primarily those with well-characterized embryology and/or genetics (Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish, chicken, and mouse). Learn the experimental strategies and tools used by developmental biologists. Analyze embryology experiments to identify common elements of the scientific process (hypothesis, experiment, result, and conclusion). Learn skills in scientific critiquing and creativity. Learn to summarize and synthesize scientific papers and effectively communicate their findings. Appreciate the value of basic research in allowing leaps in our knowledge of human disease.
Topical Outline
Conceptual Tool Kit of developmental biology: multicellularity, cleavage, differentiation Position dependent gene regulation, enhancer function, gastrulation and germ layers Genetic control of body axis determination and pattern formation: maternal gradients control gap genes Genetic control of segmentation: establishment of evenskipped stripe 2 Drosophila embryogenesis: localization of maternal determinants during oogenesis Maintaining segment polarity by cell-cell signaling Drosophila embryogenesis: regionalization by homeotic genes Patterning the vertebrate body plan I Patterning the vertebrate body plan I: origin and specification of the germ layers Patterning the vertebrate body plan II: Somites and Neural Induction Development of the nervous system Development of the nervous system (end) Cell Differentiation Cell Differentiation Organogenesis: Patterning of the limb Organogenesis: Internal organs Development of germ line and fertilization Growth and Aging Regeneration Evolution and Development Cancer and Development gone awry C. elegans Development: cell-cell interaction during embryogenesis C. elegans Development: cell-cell interaction during late development C. elegans Development: heterochronic mutations Morphogenesis: cell behavior and migration; sea urchin gastrulation movement
Syllabus