Learn fundamental principles and key concepts in the developmental processes of animal organisms. One model system is Drosophila, looking at embryonic development of body plan patterning and subsequent organogenesis. Another model is vertebrate neural development in zebrafish, looking at vertebrate body plan, cell fate decisions, neuronal specification, axon guidance and targeting, and synaptogenesis. Extend these bases by practical exercises using genetic tools for live imaging of fluorescence-labeled cells using Drosophila and zebrafish embryos. Debate specific topics in developmental biology and apply these findings by writing a mock grant application. Occasional guest lectures on special topics.
1. Basic concepts of developmental biology, and introduction of model systems
2. Development of the Drosophila embryonic body plan
3. Organogenesis
4. Patterning of vertebrate body plan
5. Morphogenesis
6. Cell fate decision in the vertebrate nervous system
7. Current topics of neuronal specification and multipotency of neural stem cells
8. Axon guidance, target recognition
9. Synaptogenesis
10. A model for neurodegeneration in Drosophila
11. Debate of topics of developmental biology by students
12. Debate of topics of developmental biology by students
13. Debate of topics of developmental biology by students
14. Genetic tools for live imaging of fluorescence-labeled cells using Drosophila
15. Genetic tools for live imaging of fluorescence-labeled cells using zebrafish
Participation 20%; Written Report 40%; Presentation 40%
Principles of Development 2 edn, Lewis Wolpert (2010) Oxford University Press
Developmental Biology 9 edn, Scott F. Gilbert (2010) Sinauer
Development of the Nervous System 3 edn, Sanes, Reh, Harris (2011) Academic Express