BIOMG 6850 - Developmental Biology

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: BIOMG 2800 or permission of instructor. Co-meets with BIOMG 3850.

M. Simoes-Costa.

This course is primarily concerned with the causal basis of developmental events, mainly focusing on animal development. We will be learning how a fertilized egg becomes an animal. Topics covered will include embryonic organization, role of genes in development, inductive interactions, morphogenesis and pattern formation. Subject matter will include not only what we know about development but also how we learned it.

The course is designed to introduce the principles of development at the organ, tissue, cell, and molecular level. Due to time limitations, however, it will not be possible to explore every topic. Advanced instruction in development can be obtained through the following courses: Stem Cell Biology (BioMG 4450), Developmental Genetics (BioMG 6870), as well as Development and Evolution (BioMG 4610).

Outcome 1: Explain the pros and cons of the major animal model systems used in development biology, such as C. elegans, Drosophila, amphibians, fish, mouse, and human cells.

Outcome 2: Understand the nature of experimental research as the basis for our current understanding in developmental biology.

Outcome 3: Interpret results of developmental biology experiments, and draw conclusions from them.

Outcome 4: Describe general developmental mechanisms, including terms and concepts of developmental biology (e.g., induction, autonomous specification, morphogens, differential adhesion, etc.).

Outcome 5: Discuss biological information that underlies ethical issues such as stem cells and human cloning.

Outcome 6: Read critically primary literature on a chosen topic through literature enrichment exercises.