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.

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 even-skipped 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: 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

Organogenesis: Patterning of the limb

Organogenesis: Internal organs

Development of germline 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

All work submitted on exams and in extra credit reviews is expected to be a student’s own individual work. All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” Each student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work.